The 2026 Paralympic Winter Games are set to bring together hundreds of elite athletes from around the world in a celebration of determination, competition, and sporting excellence. The Games take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, featuring world-class venues and intense competition across multiple winter sports.
Athletes from dozens of nations will compete for medals across several disciplines over more than a week of competition. With extensive television and streaming coverage available, fans around the world will be able to follow every major event from the opening ceremony to the final medal contests.
Overview of the 2026 Winter Paralympics
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games will feature hundreds of athletes competing in winter sports events designed for athletes with physical and visual impairments.
The Games will run for about 10 days of competition, showcasing skill, resilience, and world-class performance.
Key Event Details
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Host Cities | Milan & Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy |
| Competition Dates | March 6 – March 15 |
| Participating Nations | More than 50 countries |
| Athletes | Around 600+ competitors |
| Medal Events | 79 |
| Sports | 6 |
| Venues | Multiple winter sports venues across Italy |
The tournament begins with a spectacular Opening Ceremony and concludes with the Closing Ceremony, celebrating athletes and their achievements.
Sports Featured at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
The Games include six major winter sports, each with multiple categories designed to ensure fair competition among athletes with similar impairments.
Paralympic Sports Program
| Sport | Number of Events |
|---|---|
| Para Alpine Skiing | 30 |
| Para Biathlon | 18 |
| Para Cross-Country Skiing | 20 |
| Para Snowboard | 8 |
| Para Ice Hockey | 1 |
| Wheelchair Curling | 2 |
Each sport includes divisions such as standing, sitting, and visually impaired categories, allowing athletes to compete under classification systems tailored to their abilities.
The 2026 Paralympic Winter Games Full Schedule Overview
The Games feature competitions across several days, beginning with the opening ceremony and continuing with daily medal events.
Major Schedule Highlights
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| March 6 | Opening Ceremony |
| March 7 | First medal events including Alpine Skiing and Biathlon |
| March 8 | Snowboard Cross Finals and Biathlon competitions |
| March 9 | Super-G Alpine Skiing events |
| March 10 | Alpine Combined and Cross-Country Sprint races |
| March 11 | Cross-Country 10km races and Wheelchair Curling finals |
| March 12 | Women’s Giant Slalom |
| March 13 | Biathlon Sprint Pursuit finals and Alpine Giant Slalom |
| March 14 | Snowboard Banked Slalom and Relay events |
| March 15 | Para Ice Hockey Final and Closing Ceremony |
The final day will feature major medal events including the Para Ice Hockey gold medal match, one of the most anticipated contests of the Games.
Opening Ceremony
The Games officially begin with a grand Opening Ceremony in Verona, showcasing Italian culture, music, and history. The ceremony introduces participating nations and athletes while celebrating the spirit of the Paralympic movement.
Organizers plan to combine spectacle, tradition, and modern performance, creating an unforgettable start to the Games.
Key Events to Watch
Several competitions are expected to attract major global attention during the Games.
1. Alpine Skiing
One of the most prestigious events of the Games, Alpine skiing includes:
- Downhill
- Super-G
- Giant Slalom
- Slalom
- Alpine Combined
Athletes compete in visually impaired, standing, and sitting categories.
2. Para Biathlon
Biathlon combines cross-country skiing with rifle shooting, requiring both endurance and accuracy. Athletes ski multiple laps and shoot at targets between sections.
Distances include:
- Sprint (7.5 km)
- Individual (12.5 km)
- Sprint Pursuit
3. Para Cross-Country Skiing
This event tests athletes’ endurance over long distances and includes races such as:
- Sprint races
- 10 km interval start
- 20 km races
- Relay events
4. Para Snowboard
Para snowboard events include:
- Snowboard Cross
- Banked Slalom
Athletes race through courses with jumps, turns, and obstacles.
5. Para Ice Hockey
One of the most exciting events of the Games, Para Ice Hockey features teams battling on sledges across three intense periods. The sport is known for its speed, physical play, and dramatic finishes.
6. Wheelchair Curling
Wheelchair curling is a tactical sport played on ice where athletes slide stones toward a target area known as the house.
Events include:
- Mixed Doubles
- Mixed Team
Matches are played over multiple ends with teams aiming to score the highest points.
Where to Watch the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
Fans will have several options to watch the competition live.
Broadcast Platforms
| Platform | Coverage |
|---|---|
| NBC | Major events and finals |
| USA Network | Live competition coverage |
| CNBC | Daily events |
| Peacock | Streaming coverage |
| Channel 4 | Coverage in the UK |
| YouTube & Streaming Platforms | Selected live broadcasts |
More than 60 hours of live television coverage is expected throughout the Games.
Read more: Where to Watch 2026 Winter Paralympics Live: TV Channels, Streaming
Daily TV Broadcast Highlights
Opening Ceremony
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| March 6 | Afternoon | Opening Ceremony |
Daily Live Coverage (Example)
| Day | Coverage Time | Program |
|---|---|---|
| March 7 | Morning | Live competitions |
| March 8 | Morning | Snowboard and Biathlon |
| March 9-13 | Daytime | Alpine skiing, curling, hockey |
| March 14 | Morning | Relay and snowboard finals |
| March 15 | Afternoon | Ice Hockey Final |
Evening recap shows will highlight the day’s biggest performances and medal moments.
Mascot of the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
The official mascot of the Games is Milo, a creative stoat inspired by the host cities Milan and Cortina.
Milo represents resilience and creativity. The character was designed as a playful and inventive animal who overcomes challenges and embraces new ideas — a symbol of the Paralympic spirit.
Closing Ceremony
The Closing Ceremony on March 15 will celebrate the athletes and bring the Games to a memorable conclusion. It will include cultural performances, medal celebrations, and the symbolic passing of the Paralympic flag to the next host nation.
FAQs
When are the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games?
The Games take place from March 6 to March 15, 2026.
Where are the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games being held?
They are hosted in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy.
How many sports are included in the Games?
There are six sports in the Winter Paralympic program.
How many medal events will take place?
A total of 79 medal events will be contested.
Which sport concludes the Games?
The Para Ice Hockey final is expected to be one of the last major events before the closing ceremony.
