After 16 days of highs, lows and loads of drama, the curtain is about to fall on the 2026 Winter Olympics with Milan-Cortina organisers placing on a spectacular closing ceremony.
Zoe Atkin’s capture of a bronze medal earlier on Sunday ensured these Games have been probably the most profitable in Team GB’s historical past and eyes are already turning to 2030.
Here’s every part UK-based viewers want to learn about tonight’s closing ceremony.
How to watch closing ceremony in UK
The much-anticipated closing ceremony will get underneath method at 7.30 p.m. GMT. It shall be broadcast stay on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two. Build-up begins from 7 p.m.
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Where is the closing ceremony going down?
Despite the 2 Olympic flames burning in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the closing ceremony is being held in Verona on the Verona Olympic Arena. Built in 30 AD, Italy’s third-largest Roman amphitheatre was constructed to host gladiator battles however will now play host to a spectacular closing occasion.
The venue may even host the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games opening ceremony in March.
It is a couple of two-hour drive from Milan and three hours from Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Who are Team GB’s flagbearers?
Matt Weston and Charlotte Bankes have been chosen as Team GB’s flagbearers for the closing ceremony.
Weston received two golds on the Games — following up his triumph in the lads’s skeleton with one other gold in the combined staff occasion alongside Tabby Stoecker.
“To be selected as flagbearer is a massive, massive honour and I’m so proud to be able to represent the country at the Closing Ceremony,” Weston mentioned in an announcement. “The fact that it’s taking place at such an iconic venue makes it even more exciting. I think it will be a unique and very Italian experience, and a great way to end the Games.”
Bankes was chosen after competing in her fourth Olympic Games. She received Team GB’s first ever Winter Olympic gold on snow with Huw Nightingale in the combined snowboard cross.
“To be asked to carry the flag is a dream come true and feels like a moment for our entire snowboard cross team. We have made history for our sport, and I will be walking out there carrying it for everyone who has been part of that journey,” she mentioned.
“Leading Team GB out at my first Closing Ceremony will be very special. It is a chance to reflect on everything we have put into these Games and to celebrate the medals we have won, and those we have come so close to.”
What can we expect to see in the closing ceremony?
The Roman amphitheatre is set to provide a stunning backdrop to the festivities — its embodiment of Italian cultural heritage means its selection as host venue is fitting.
As is always the case for these events, the ceremony will feature the great and the good of Italian music, art and sport.
Organisers have said the finale will “weave collectively” these cultural touchstones, “celebrating unity and the enduring bonds between athletes and nations” with a theme of “Beauty in Action.”
The two Olympic cauldrons will be extinguished simultaneously in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
As has been the case for recent Games, Ben Sherman will outfit the British delegation for the closing ceremony. Team GB have said flagbearers Weston and Bankes will wear “distinctive hand-knit scarves and winter hats created as a part of a collaboration between Ben Sherman and five-time Olympic medallist Tom Daley.”
How did Team GB athletes carry out at these Games?
UK Sport chiefs said they felt British athletes could bring home eight medals from the Milan-Cortina Games but after a succession of near-misses in the opening days of the Games it seemed the final total might fall well short of that figure.
But a flurry of golds — including two on one day — means that the 2026 Winter Olympics goes down as Team GB’s most successful in history. They managed the same high-water mark of five set at Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang four years later but the unprecedented number of golds means it ranks as Britain’s best return.
There were two golds in the skeleton and Team GB’s first on snow in the mixed snowboard cross event. The men’s curlers settled for a silver on the penultimate day of the Games and Atkin’s bronze took the Team GB total to five.
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Where are the next Winter Olympics taking place?
The Olympic flag shall be lowered and handed over to delegates from the hosts of the subsequent Winter Olympics Games — the French Alps in 4 years’ time. Those video games are scheduled to be held between Feb. 1 and Feb. 17, 2030.
