46TH Annual Empire State Winter Games Opening Ceremony Free and Open to Everyone
NBC5 Meteorologist Tom Messner will Serve as Empire State Winter Games’ Opening Ceremony Master of Ceremonies
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. —The 2026 Empire State Winter Games roar to life with an electrifying Opening Ceremony, Thursday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m., celebrating this year’s theme, “Where Chill Meets Will.” Athletes from across the Northeast and Canada will converge on Lake Placid’s Olympic Center for a high‑energy showcase of winter grit and community pride. Hosted by NBC5 meteorologist Tom Messner, the night delivers a headline performance from Montreal’s Turbo Twins, bold cinematic storytelling, and the fan‑favorite Parade of Athletes—igniting a thrilling weekend, Feb. 5-8, of competition in the Adirondacks.
The Turbo Twins, Dylan and Dean Moriarity, live for extremes. The duo, who have performed with Cirque du Soleil across 19 countries and 131 cities, bring an extra jolt of adrenaline. Their Opening Ceremony show is guaranteed to electrify the crowd and leave everyone holding their breath.
“This year’s Opening Ceremony is shaping up to be one of the most exciting, action-packed moments in the history of the Games,” said ADKSC executive director Karlan Jessen. “From world-class performances to time-honored traditions, there’s something for everyone—and we can’t wait to share that energy with all of the athletes, volunteers, and fans.”
Alongside the Turbo Twins, the Opening Ceremony, which is free and open to the public, will also feature the inspiring Parade of Athletes, a powerful video montage from the ESWG Torch Tour, and a special tribute to the upcoming 2026 Milan–Cortina Olympic Winter Games. The night culminates with the dramatic lighting of the ESWG Cauldron, officially opening the 46th Games—all set against the iconic backdrop of Lake Placid’s legendary 1980 Herb Brooks Arena.
For more information about the Empire State Winter Games, go to https://empirestatewintergames.com/.
Fans and athletes can also follow on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, using @ESWGames and #ESWGames.