Key points
- The 2026 Winter Olympics are being held in Italy — officially the Milano-Cortina 2026 Games. Italy.
- The Olympic figure-skating Exhibition Gala (non-competitive, celebratory) took place on Feb. 21 at the Milano Ice Skating Arena and featured more than 40 skaters.
- One of the most talked-about performances came from Ilia Malinin, who used the gala to deliver an emotionally charged exhibition after a dramatic Olympic week.
Gala Night in Milan — and why it matters
The exhibition gala is the sport’s curtain call: no judges, no scores — skaters perform free of technical pressure and lean into artistry, costumes and crowd-pleasing choreography.
It’s where Olympic moments are humanized and fans get a relaxed final look at their favourites.
When and where the gala happened at Milano-Cortina 2026
The Gala ran on Feb. 21 at the Milano Ice Skating Arena as the figure-skating program’s celebratory finale.
Timing and running order were set to maximize a global TV audience and give athletes prime slots for creative pieces.
Who skated — the big names and surprises
The lineup included medalists and fan favourites — Alysa Liu closed the show and stars like Amber Glenn, Madison Chock & Evan Bates and many others performed.
Gala nights often give rising names and veterans equal spotlight, and this edition doubled as a showcase for artistic risk-taking.
Ilia Malinin’s gala — a raw, public response to a tough week
After a difficult competitive free skate, Ilia Malinin returned to the ice with a program that spoke to mental-health pressure and resilience.
Media coverage noted the performance’s emotional arc and the crowd’s warm reception as a defining human moment of these Games.
How the Exhibition Gala differs from competition (quick primer)
Gala programs allow choreography that breaks technical rules (no required elements), which encourages theatrical lifts, character pieces and music choices outside standard competitive palettes.
That freedom makes the gala a perfect place to see a skater’s personality beyond quadruple jumps and technical lists.
Watching tips — when to tune in and what to expect
Check local broadcaster schedules (NBC/Peacock in the U.S., and regional Olympic feeds elsewhere) for live streams and replays; gala start times are often optimized for TV.
Expect longer, narrative-driven performances, group numbers and a final celebratory skate that brings nearly every athlete back on the ice.
Quick FAQ — short answers viewers want
Where are the 2026 Winter Olympics held?
The Games are hosted in Italy under the Milano-Cortina 2026 banner.
When is the figure-skating Exhibition Gala?
Feb. 21, 2026 (Milano Ice Skating Arena) — the gala caps the figure-skating schedule.
Is the gala competitive?
No — it’s an exhibition: no judges, no scoring, just performances meant to entertain and celebrate.
Final note — the gala’s place in Olympic memory
The Exhibition Gala is where Olympic competition softens into celebration, and where performances like Ilia Malinin’s can reframe an athlete’s whole Games.
If you missed it live, look for highlight reels and the official Olympic archive to relive the evening’s most unforgettable moments.
Disclaimer: This article summarizes contemporaneous reporting on the 2026 Exhibition Gala as of February 2026. For live updates, official replays and the IOC archive, consult your local Olympic broadcaster and the official Milano-Cortina results pages.