The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy are finally coming to an end after 17 days of intense competition. Fans around the world are getting ready for the Closing Ceremony, which promises celebration, emotion, and a final farewell to the athletes.
Where Will the Closing Ceremony Be Held?
The ceremony will take place at the Verona Olympic Arena, a historic Roman amphitheater in Italy. The event is expected to last around two and a half hours. Organizers will showcase Italian culture and highlight the future of the Olympic Games.
When Does the Ceremony Start?
The Closing Ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday. It will be broadcast live on NBC and will also be available to stream on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, the NBC app, and the NBC Sports app.
For viewers who miss the live show, a replay will air at 9:00 p.m. ET, hosted by Mike Tirico for “Primetime in Milan.”
Team USA Flagbearers
Hilary Knight and Evan Bates will carry the U.S. flag during the Closing Ceremony.
- Hilary Knight, a five-time Olympic medalist, led the U.S. women’s hockey team to gold against Canada. She became the all-time Olympic scoring leader in U.S. women’s hockey history.
- Evan Bates, along with his partner and wife Madison Chock, won gold in the team figure skating event and silver in ice dance, making them one of the top duos of the Games.
Who Will Host the Ceremony Broadcast?
NBC’s famous figure skating team will guide viewers through the ceremony. Terry Gannon, Tara Lipinski, and Johnny Weir return as hosts. They have previously hosted Olympic Closing Ceremonies in Paris, Beijing, Tokyo, and PyeongChang.
Medal Standings Before the Ceremony
As of Sunday morning:
- Norway leads the total medal count with 41 medals.
- Team USA is second with 32 medals, followed by Italy (30), Germany (26), and Japan (24).
- Norway and the U.S. are leading in gold medals with 18 and 11, respectively.
Final Moments of the Winter Olympics
The Closing Ceremony is a chance for athletes to celebrate their achievements and for fans to say goodbye to the Games. It will also officially mark the end of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, leaving behind memories of record-breaking performances and historic moments.
