The Winter Paralympics are back – and this edition is extra special as the Games celebrate their 50th anniversary. Taking place in Italy from 6-15 March 2026, the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will bring together more than 600 athletes from around 50 nations, all competing at the very highest level of winter sport.
If you are a lover of winter sports, read on for all the information you need to know about the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in this ultimate guide, including a breakdown of the schedule, how to watch and top medal contenders.
When Are the Next Winter Paralympics?
The 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will be held from 6-15 March 2026, marking 50 years since the first Winter Paralympic Games in Örnsköldsvik (Sweden), 1976.
Where Are the Next Winter Paralympics?
For the second time, the Winter Paralympics will be held in Italy, 20 years after Torino 2006. The Games will be held across three clusters in Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo and Val di Fiemme, while the opening ceremony will take place in Verona.
Milano Cortina Paralympics 2026 – Venue & Sport Breakdown:
- Milan: Para Ice Hockey
- Cortina d’Ampezzo: Para Alpine Skiing, Para Snowboard, Wheelchair Curling
- Val di Fiemme (Tesero): Para Cross-Country Skiing, Para Biathlon
What Events Will Be in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics?
Athletes will compete in 79 medal events across six Paralympic winter sports: alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, para ice hockey, snowboarding and wheelchair curling.
Winter Sport Disciplines and Events at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games:
Paralympic Snow Sports:
Para Alpine Skiing
Events: Downhill, Super-G, Giant Slalom, Slalom
Classifications: Standing (LW1–LW9), Sitting (LW10–LW12), Visually Impaired (B1–B3, with guides for B1/B2)
Para Cross-Country Skiing
Events: Sprint, Middle, Long, Relay
Classifications: Standing (LW2–LW9), Sit-ski (LW10–LW12), Visually Impaired (B1–B3, with sighted guide)
Para Biathlon
Events: Sprint, Middle, Long
Classifications: Standing (LW2–LW9), Sit-ski (LW10–LW12), Visually Impaired (B1–B3, with sighted guide)
Combines cross-country skiing with precision rifle shooting using acoustic targeting systems for visually impaired athletes.
Para Snowboard
Events: Banked Slalom and Snowboard Cross
Classifications: SB-LL1 (severe lower limb impairment), SB-LL2 (less severe lower limb impairment), SB-UL (upper limb impairment)
Paralympic Ice Sports:
Para Ice Hockey
Teams of six compete for gold, with fast-paced, high-contact gameplay similar to ice hockey.
All athletes have a lower body physical impairment.
Wheelchair Curling
Events: Wheelchair Mixed Team, Wheelchair Mixed Doubles (new event)
All athletes have a lower body physical impairment.
What is the Schedule for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics?
With 79 events taking place across 10 days, there’s a lot of action scheduled – so mark your calendars! Check out some of the key dates of popular events and their locations below so that you don’t miss your favourite Winter Paralympic sports.
March 6, 2026: Opening Ceremony
The Paralympic Winter Games officially begin with the Opening Ceremony at Arena di Verona.
March 7, 2026: First Medal Events
The first gold medals of the Games will be awarded, including:
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- Para Alpine Skiing – Downhill (Men & Women) – Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Para Biathlon – Sprint Events – Tesero
- Wheelchair Curling Round Robin Begins – Cortina d’Ampezzo
March 8, 2026: Para Snowboard Finals
- Para Snowboard Cross Finals (Men & Women) – Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Continuing medal events in Para Alpine and Para Biathlon
March 10, 2026: Mid-Games Highlights
A key medal day featuring multiple finals:
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- Para Cross-Country Skiing – Individual Events – Val di Fiemme
- Para Alpine Skiing – Slalom Events
- Para Ice Hockey Preliminary Rounds Intensify – Milan
March 14, 2026: Busiest Medal Day
One of the most anticipated days of the Games, featuring:
- Para Alpine Skiing – Slalom Finals – Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Para Snowboard Banked Slalom Finals – Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Wheelchair Curling Medal Matches – Cortina d’Ampezzo
March 15, 2026: Final Day & Closing Ceremony
The Games conclude with:
- Para Ice Hockey Gold Medal Game – Milan
- Final medal ceremonies across venues
- Closing Ceremony – Verona
For a detailed day-by-day schedule, including specific events and times, please refer to the official Milano Cortina Paralympics 2026 Competition Schedule.
How to Watch the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics?
Fans across the UK will be able to follow the action live thanks to coverage from Channel 4, the long-standing home of Paralympic sport. Channel 4 will offer live broadcasts, highlights and on-demand coverage across TV and digital platforms.
To watch in-person, visit the official Milano Cortina 2026 website to purchase tickets.
Athletes to Watch at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics
Austria and Norway are the most successful nations at the Paralympic Winter Games. However, the People’s Republic of China topped the medal table at the Beijing 2022 Games, and the pressure is on to see if they can stay at the top of the table!
Top athletes to watch at the 2026 Winter Paralympics:
- Oksana Masters (USA) – 7-time Paralympian, who took home three golds at Beijing 2022 across cross-country skiing and biathlon. She remains a dominant force in Para Nordic events and a favourite for Milan Cortina 2026.
- Zhang Meng (China) – Rising star in Para alpine skiing, Zhang contributed to China’s top-of-the-table finish in 2022 and is expected to compete for multiple medals in downhill and giant slalom events.
- Jesper Pedersen (Norway) – A double medalist in Beijing 2022, Pedersen is a strong contender in the men’s standing alpine skiing events, including super-G and slalom.
- Anna-Lena Forster (Germany) – Forster won multiple medals at previous Games and continues to dominate in women’s sitting alpine events.
- Matti Suur-Hamari (Finland) – A world champion and Beijing 2022 medalist in snowboard cross, Suur-Hamari is a strong contender in both banked slalom and snowboard cross events.
Who Will be Representing ParalympicsGB at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics?
ParalympicsGB is sending 25 athletes to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, who will compete across five sports: Para alpine skiing, Para cross-country skiing, Para snowboard, Para ice hockey, and wheelchair curling.
Top Milano Cortina 2026 medal contenders:
- Menna Fitzpatrick – 6-time Paralympic alpine skiing medallist.
- Neil Simpson – Defending Paralympic alpine skiing champion.
- Ollie Hill – Won Great Britain’s first Para snowboard medal, a bronze in banked slalom, in his Paralympic debut at Beijing 2022.
- James Barnes-Miller – Strong medal hopeful in Para snowboard events, including snowboard cross and banked slalom.
- Scott Meenagh – Representing GB in his third Games in Para cross-country skiing, Meenagh is an experienced Paralympian and strong medal hopeful in the Nordic events.
Para ice hockey and alpine skiing remain major medal opportunities for Great Britain, building on recent World Championship and Paralympic success.
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