The 2026 Olympics opening ceremony starts at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT, 12 p.m. MT), and the event is expected to be three hours long. At a time of deep divisions around the world, the organizers have chosen “harmony” as their defining theme. This will be highlighted by the bringing together of the two host cities and, more broadly, of different cultures, said Marco Balich, the creative lead of the opening ceremony.