2026 Winter Paralympic Games, Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2026/02/24
Category Topic: 2026 Italy - Related Publications
Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Subtopics
Synopsis: The 2026 Winter Paralympic games will be held from 6 to 15 March, in Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, will host the 2026 Winter Paralympic games. The Italian 2026 Winter Paralympic games will be held from 6th to 15th March.
- Definition: Winter Paralympic Games
The Winter Paralympic Games are the premier international multi-sport competition for athletes with physical disabilities, held every four years in the weeks following the Winter Olympic Games. Organized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the event brings together competitors from dozens of countries who compete across six core disciplines - Para Alpine Skiing, Para Biathlon, Para Cross-Country Skiing, Para Ice Hockey, Para Snowboard, and Wheelchair Curling. Athletes are grouped into sport-specific classes based on the type and severity of their impairment, ensuring fair and meaningful competition between individuals with comparable functional ability. The Games trace their origins to the post-World War II rehabilitation movement pioneered by Sir Ludwig Guttmann at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England, where sport was introduced as a tool for the physical and psychological recovery of veterans with spinal cord injuries. The first official Winter Paralympic Games were held in 1976 in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, and the event has since grown into one of the world's largest sporting occasions, drawing widespread broadcast coverage and serving as a powerful platform for advancing disability inclusion, accessibility, and the recognition of elite athletic achievement.
Introduction
Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, will host the 2026 Winter Paralympic games from 6th to 15th March. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted for Italy's joint bid ahead of Stockholm, Sweden.
Skating sports and ice hockey will be held in Milan, while most alpine skiing events will take place in the resort of Cortina. Other snow sports will be held in other venues in the Italian Alps, including Bormio and Livigno.
IOC has for the 2026 Winter Olympics allowed a longer distance between events, so that alpine skiing can be held in a mountain area, and e.g., ice hockey and figure skating in a large city more than 100 miles (160.93 km) away where such arenas are already available or have greater usage after the games.
Main Content
Paralympic Sports at Milano Cortina 2026
The 2026 Winter Paralympics will feature six sports across 82 medal events:
- Para Alpine Skiing - Downhill, Super-G, Giant Slalom, Slalom, and Super Combined events held in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Bormio.
- Para Biathlon - Combining cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, held in Anterselva/Antholz.
- Para Cross-Country Skiing - Distance and sprint events, also held in venues across the Italian Alps.
- Para Ice Hockey - Team competition held at an arena in Milan.
- Para Snowboard - Snowboard Cross and Banked Slalom events held in Livigno.
- Wheelchair Curling - Mixed team competition held in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Key Venues
Events will be spread across multiple venues in the Lombardy and Veneto regions of northern Italy:
- Milan - Para Ice Hockey at the PalaSharp or similar arena facility.
- Cortina d'Ampezzo - Para Alpine Skiing events and Wheelchair Curling.
- Anterselva/Antholz - Para Biathlon and Para Cross-Country Skiing, home to the renowned Südtirol Arena.
- Livigno - Para Snowboard events at the Mottolino or Carosello 3000 snowparks.
- Bormio - Additional Para Alpine Skiing events on the famous Stelvio course.
Accessibility and the Paralympic Village
The Milano Cortina 2026 organizing committee has committed to making all venues, transportation links, and athlete villages fully accessible. The Paralympic Village is expected to provide barrier-free accommodation for athletes and officials. Italy's hosting presents unique accessibility challenges given the mountainous terrain, and organizers have planned accessible shuttle services and adapted infrastructure connecting venues across the Alps.
Classification System
Athletes competing at the 2026 Winter Paralympics are grouped into sport classes based on the nature and extent of their impairment. Classification ensures fair competition by grouping athletes with similar functional abilities. Eligible impairment categories include physical impairments (such as limb deficiency, impaired muscle power, and ataxia) and visual impairments. Each sport has its own specific classification codes - for example, Para Alpine Skiing uses categories such as standing, sitting, and visually impaired.
Participating Countries
The 2026 Winter Paralympics are expected to welcome athletes from over 45 countries. Historically strong Winter Paralympic nations include the United States, Germany, Canada, Norway, Ukraine, and host nation Italy. Qualification pathways are determined by each sport's international federation, with athletes needing to meet minimum eligibility criteria and quota allocations assigned to National Paralympic Committees (NPCs).
Historical Context
Italy has a rich history of hosting the Winter Paralympics. The country previously hosted the 2006 Winter Paralympic Games in Turin (Torino), which featured around 480 athletes from 39 countries. The 2026 Games mark Italy's return as a Winter Paralympic host after 20 years, and the first time the event has been spread across two distinct urban and alpine regions under a joint bid model.
Mascot and Branding
The Milano Cortina 2026 Games introduced mascots for both the Olympic and Paralympic events. The Paralympic mascot is designed to represent the spirit of determination and inclusivity central to the Paralympic movement. The overall branding theme draws on Italy's cultural heritage, alpine landscapes, and the energy of its major cities.
How to Get Tickets
Tickets for the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games are available through the official Milano Cortina 2026 website. Organizers have committed to offering affordable pricing to ensure broad public access, with dedicated accessible seating options at every venue. Ticket packages may include single-session passes, day passes, and multi-event bundles.