On the opening day of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, OMEGA he chose the heart of Milan and George Clooney to officially open its OMEGA House, marking the symbolic launch of an Olympic journey that unites sport, international representation, and precision timekeeping. The Swiss brand, Official Timekeeper of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, celebrated the event with an intimate gala, which drew some of the most recognizable figures in today's cultural and sporting landscapes.
The evening marked the debut of the first OMEGA House dedicated to a winter edition of the Games. The location, located within the prestigious Cracco restaurant, will remain open until February 21st as a meeting point for guests and partners of the brand, offering a cozy and representative environment in the heart of Milan.
Among the protagonists of the opening night, George Clooney e Park Bo-gum They attracted international media attention. The American athlete also took part in the event. Allyson Felix, the actress Marisa Tomei and the Italian actor Saul Nanni, in an audience that combined sport, cinema and pop culture.
For its House décor, OMEGA opted for a bright and welcoming aesthetic, expressed in the official colors of Milano Cortina 2026. The gala symbolically represented the beginning of an "Olympic journey," underscoring OMEGA's role in sports timekeeping for nearly a century. The brand boasts 94 years of experience as the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games, a distinction that remains central to its identity.
During the evening, Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of OMEGA, emphasized the symbolic value of choosing Milan as the venue for the first winter OMEGA House. Following the success of the Summer Olympics, the stated goal is to offer an immersive experience, combining hospitality, innovation, and sports storytelling, even in the winter. The participation of figures such as George Clooney and Park Bo-gum, Aeschlimann emphasized, helps strengthen the brand's connection with a global audience.
George Clooney, OMEGA Ambassador since 2007, represents one of the brand's historic faces. His relationship with OMEGA watchmaking, however, is rooted in a childhood memory of the Speedmasters worn by NASA astronauts. This connection has, over time, also translated into a constant presence of OMEGA watches on the big screen and in the actor's daily life. At the Milan gala, Clooney emphasized the personal significance of the event, citing his connection to Northern Italy and his interest in the role OMEGA will play during Milano Cortina 2026.
Near him, Park Bo-gum brought a more recent but equally significant perspective. The South Korean actor, known for his versatility and measured style, highlighted how the brand's precision and excellence find a natural extension in world of Olympic sports. The OMEGA House in Milan, in his words, thus becomes a place of synthesis between watchmaking tradition and competitive dimension.
During the opening period, the Milan OMEGA House It will offer guests elegant and immersive spaces, with the option to follow sports competitions in real time on dedicated screens. The experience will be complemented by Carlo Cracco's signature cuisine, strengthening the connection with Milan and Italian excellence.
The initiative is part of a communication strategy that aims to make the OMEGA's role at the Games, not only as a technical supplier but as a narrator of the sporting timeIn this sense, the media attention generated by events like the inaugural gala and the presence of prominent figures contributes to shaping the path of Milano Cortina 2026, even outside the competition venues.
