The 2026 Winter Olympics officially begin on Friday with an Opening Ceremony unlike any other.

Milan and Cortina are home to this year's Games, marking the first time in Olympic history — winter or summer — that two cities will host the Olympics. For such a monumental occasion, there will be two simultaneous ceremonies as the hosts seek to reflect both city and mountain life.

In Milan, Italian authorities have tightened security around the San Siro soccer stadium, which will provide the stage for the main part of the ceremony. U.S. pop star Mariah Carey and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform. Meanwhile, co-host Cortina d'Ampezzo will join the celebrations from the mountains more than 250 miles away. Athletes will also parade in the mountain venues of Livigno and Predazzo, stretching the Games over 8,500 square miles.

Tickets for the ceremony at the San Siro soccer stadium, home to Serie A clubs AC Milan and Inter, range from 260 euros (approximately $307) to 2,026 euros (approximately $2,394).

With two host cities comes two Olympic cauldrons, which will be lit simultaneously and burn throughout the Games. The cauldrons are at Milan's Arco della Pace (Peace Arch) and Cortina's Piazza Dibona.

Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni, two of Italy's most successful Alpine skiers, have been chosen to light the Olympic cauldrons, but the format and other names of those involved have not been disclosed.

Titled "Armonia" (harmony), the ceremony is designed to celebrate the diversity of Italian life. From Milan, an international capital of fashion and finance, to the mountain towns in the Alps that host the outdoor events at the Olympics, Italy has much to offer. 

The Opening Ceremony begins at 1:40 p.m. ET.

Reuters contributed to this report.