The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games have arrived, and they are already making history. Running from 6 to 15 March 2026, this edition is the biggest Paralympic Winter Games ever staged, with a record 56 nations and over 616 athletes competing across 79 medal events in six thrilling sports.
Whether you are a long-time fan of Paralympic sport or tuning in for the first time, here is everything you need to know about this year’s Games in Italy.
When Are the 2026 Winter Paralympics?
The Games officially kicked off on Friday 6 March 2026 with a spectacular Opening Ceremony at the historic Arena di Verona, the famous Roman amphitheatre in northern Italy. Competition runs for ten days, with the Closing Ceremony taking place on Sunday 15 March 2026 at the Cortina Olympic Ice Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Where Are the 2026 Winter Paralympics Being Held?
Events are spread across three main clusters in the Italian Alps and beyond:
- Milan — home to Para ice hockey at the PalaItalia arena
- Cortina d’Ampezzo — hosting Para alpine skiing, Para snowboard, and wheelchair curling among the stunning Dolomite peaks
- Val di Fiemme — the venue for Para biathlon and Para cross-country skiing in the Trentino region
The choice of venues means athletes and spectators alike are treated to some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in Europe.
What Sports Are at the 2026 Winter Paralympics?
Six sports make up the programme, offering a total of 79 gold medals:
- Para Alpine Skiing — the largest programme with 30 medal events, covering downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, and super combined across standing, sitting, and visually impaired categories
- Para Biathlon — combining cross-country skiing with rifle shooting across sprint, middle-distance, and long-distance races
- Para Cross-Country Skiing — endurance racing over varied terrain in sprint, middle-distance, long-distance, and relay events
- Para Ice Hockey — fast, physical team sport played on sledges with eight nations battling for gold
- Para Snowboard — featuring snowboard cross and banked slalom events
- Wheelchair Curling — a precision team sport that this year introduces a brand-new mixed doubles event for the first time
How to Watch the 2026 Winter Paralympics in the UK
Channel 4 is the exclusive UK broadcaster for the Paralympic Games and is delivering more than 60 hours of live coverage from the Italian Dolomites. You can watch on the main Channel 4 television channel and on Channel 4 Streaming (the free online platform).
Coverage highlights include:
- Live action from 10:30 AM each day across all sports
- Daily highlights programmes in the evening
- Full accessibility: all content is subtitled, live audio description is available during daytime broadcasts, and the highlights show features British Sign Language translation
This commitment to accessibility means the 2026 Winter Paralympics are more watchable than ever for UK audiences.
Why the 2026 Winter Paralympics Matter
Beyond the sport itself, the Milano Cortina Games carry real significance. With 56 participating nations — surpassing the previous record set at Pyeongchang 2018 — the growth of the Paralympic movement is clear. The Games shine a spotlight on what athletes with disabilities can achieve at the highest level, and they continue to shift public perceptions around disability and sport.
For UK viewers, there is the added excitement of a strong ParalympicsGB team of 25 athletes, led by flagbearer and six-time medallist Menna Fitzpatrick, competing across five of the six sports.
Key Dates to Remember
- 6 March — Opening Ceremony at the Arena di Verona
- 7 March — First medals awarded in Para biathlon and wheelchair curling
- 8 to 14 March — Full competition schedule across all six sports
- 15 March — Para ice hockey gold medal match and Closing Ceremony
The 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milano Cortina promise to be an unforgettable celebration of athletic excellence, resilience, and the power of sport to inspire. Make sure you tune in on Channel 4 to support ParalympicsGB and witness history being made in the Italian Alps.
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