Volunteers Set Stage for Spectacular Opening Ceremony at San Siro Stadium
In just a few days, the 2026 Winter Olympics will kick off in Milan's iconic San Siro stadium with a bang. While Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli are among the A-list performers, it's not the stars of the stage that will take center stage – but rather over 1,200 volunteers, many of whom are students at Italy's prestigious La Scala opera house.
Rehearsals have been underway in a heated white tent adjacent to San Siro, with NBC News being told to keep their cameras hidden from view. "We want it to be a secret until the show," explained Federica Moscheni, communication manager for Balich Wonder Studio, the event management company behind the ceremony. The volunteers will perform alongside professional actors and dancers, but the majority are amateurs who have been working tirelessly to master their choreography.
Among them is Ariel Fuchs, 25, a software engineer from California who has been living in Milan for over a year. "San Siro is such an incredible stadium," she exclaimed, still pinching herself after hearing about her role in the ceremony. "I went there to watch some soccer games, so to actually be on the field is such a crazy feeling. I'm a little bit nervous but also really excited – we've all worked super hard, so I think it will all come together."
The numbers behind this production are staggering: 1,400 costumes, 1,500 pairs of shoes, and over 480 people working behind the scenes to create the original soundtrack and prepare the elaborate makeup and hair designs. The ceremony is being hailed as the "biggest show on earth," with creative director Lulu Helbeck promising an event that will be seen by audiences around the world, from Africa to America to Europe.
For one night only, these volunteers will take their place alongside some of the biggest names in entertainment, performing for a live audience of 60,000 at San Siro and hundreds of millions more watching worldwide.
In just a few days, the 2026 Winter Olympics will kick off in Milan's iconic San Siro stadium with a bang. While Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli are among the A-list performers, it's not the stars of the stage that will take center stage – but rather over 1,200 volunteers, many of whom are students at Italy's prestigious La Scala opera house.
Rehearsals have been underway in a heated white tent adjacent to San Siro, with NBC News being told to keep their cameras hidden from view. "We want it to be a secret until the show," explained Federica Moscheni, communication manager for Balich Wonder Studio, the event management company behind the ceremony. The volunteers will perform alongside professional actors and dancers, but the majority are amateurs who have been working tirelessly to master their choreography.
Among them is Ariel Fuchs, 25, a software engineer from California who has been living in Milan for over a year. "San Siro is such an incredible stadium," she exclaimed, still pinching herself after hearing about her role in the ceremony. "I went there to watch some soccer games, so to actually be on the field is such a crazy feeling. I'm a little bit nervous but also really excited – we've all worked super hard, so I think it will all come together."
The numbers behind this production are staggering: 1,400 costumes, 1,500 pairs of shoes, and over 480 people working behind the scenes to create the original soundtrack and prepare the elaborate makeup and hair designs. The ceremony is being hailed as the "biggest show on earth," with creative director Lulu Helbeck promising an event that will be seen by audiences around the world, from Africa to America to Europe.
For one night only, these volunteers will take their place alongside some of the biggest names in entertainment, performing for a live audience of 60,000 at San Siro and hundreds of millions more watching worldwide.
But what's really amazing is those 1,200+ volunteers, mostly students from La Scala opera house, who are going to make it happen. It's such a great opportunity for them to shine on the big stage! Ariel Fuchs is totally deserving of that excitement and nervous energy - I'd be freaking out too if I were in her shoes 
. And the production numbers? WHOA, 1,400 costumes, 480 people working behind the scenes... it's going to be a spectacle like no other! 
Can't wait to watch the whole thing go down on TV and socials - it's gonna be lit! 
! They're not just random extra's, they're actual performers on this massive stage! I mean, think about it, they've been rehearsing in secret with professional actors & dancers, but still have to do their own choreography... that takes skill, fam 
. And can we talk about the production numbers? 1,400 costumes?! That's a whole lot of drama 
. But for real tho, it's dope that they're getting to be part of something so iconic & huge - San Siro is already an amazing stadium, and now it's gonna be lit on opening night 
. Can't wait to see the final show!
1,200 volunteers putting in all that effort to make this opening ceremony EPIC is giving me life! 
And have you seen the numbers? 1,400 costumes and 480 people working behind the scenes?! 
!
but i trust our creative director lulu she's like a total genius! and omg the costumes and makeup designs are insane 
1,400 costumes? that's like, crazy lol and i just found out we have to do over 10 shows in one night 
It's not about being a pro performer, it's about being part of something bigger than yourself. And let's be real, 1,400 costumes and 480 people working behind the scenes is just mind-blowing... I'm definitely hyped for this ceremony! 
. mariah carey and andreana bocelli are gonna have some serious backup dancers 
. And they're not even pros - they're students at La Scala opera house learning their choreography like crazy 
. And that soundtrack... oh man, I hope it's as epic as Federica said 
. Whoever gets to watch this from Africa to America to Europe is in for the ultimate treat!
1,200 students from la scala? that's some serious dedication. i'm sure it'll be a wild ride for them to perform alongside pros... still pinching myself thinking about how crazy this is 
think its amazing how these student volunteers are putting in so much work behind the scenes for this epic ceremony... 1,400 costumes and 480 people working on makeup and hair designs sounds like a massive production 
. It's amazing how many costumes, shoes, and makeup artists are involved – it's clear these people have put their hearts into this production 
. But seriously, it's amazing how these students from La Scala opera house are working together with pros to create something so epic! 
I'm living vicariously through Ariel, btw - can't imagine how she'd feel watching the ceremony with 60k people cheering and her own dance moves on stage 
federica moscheni sounds like a total boss btw 
can't wait to see mariah carey and andrea bocelli perform live, but honestly, the real stars are these volunteers 
either way, it's gonna be EPIC 
I'm so stoked to see all these students from La Scala coming together to put on an epic show! It's amazing how they've been able to master their choreos and get the whole production ready in just a few weeks. The logistics behind this event are insane - 1,400 costumes and 480 people working behind the scenes? That's some serious teamwork 
. And can we talk about the atmosphere at San Siro when all these volunteers take the stage alongside Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli? It's gonna be lit 
. Fingers crossed everything comes together without a hitch and it's truly the "biggest show on earth" 
Let's get ready to rock (or should I say, get ready to ski?) at the 2026 Winter Olympics! 
. I'm curious to see how they pulled off those 1,400 costumes and 1,500 pairs of shoes... some serious prep went into this event! 
. And the fact that they'll be performing alongside A-list artists is just the cherry on top 
). Seriously though, this is going to be EPIC 
️ It's a huge production with 1400 costumes, 1500 pairs of shoes, and over 480 people working behind the scenes... but it all comes together for that one magical night at San Siro stadium. 
️ I'm low-key nervous for these volunteers who have to perform alongside A-listers like Mariah Carey 
... can't wait to see how it all goes down! 
meanwhile, there r 1,400 costumes & 1,500 pairs of shoes... that's a lotta prep work for a night that'll be watched by millions 
️ gotta wonder how these volunteers keep it together