2026 Winter Paralympic Games in Milan-Cortina, Italy
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2 Nov 2026
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics
Synopsis
Explore the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, including dates, sports, venues, classification, participating countries, and ticket information.
At a Glance
- 1 - The 2026 Winter Paralympics featured six sports and 79 medal events.
- 2 - Around 665 athletes from 55 National Paralympic Committees took part.
- 3 - Events were held in three clusters: Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, and Val di Fiemme.
- 4 - The Games marked Italy's return as host after 20 years, following the 2006 Turin Winter Paralympics.
Topic 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 Ornskoldsvik, 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.
Overview
Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, hosted the 2026 Winter Paralympic games from March 6 to 15. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted for Italy's joint bid ahead of Stockholm, Sweden.
Skating sports and ice hockey were held in Milan, while most alpine skiing events took place in the resort of Cortina. During the Olympics, other snow sports were held at venues elsewhere in the Italian Alps, such as 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.
Paralympic Sports at Milano Cortina 2026
The 2026 Winter Paralympics featured six sports and 79 medal events:
- Para Alpine Skiing - Downhill, Super-G, Giant Slalom, Slalom, and Super Combined events held in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
- Para Biathlon - Combining cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, held in Val di Fiemme.
- Para Cross-Country Skiing - Distance and sprint events, also held in Val di Fiemme.
- Para Ice Hockey - Team competition held at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
- Para Snowboard - Snowboard cross and banked slalom events.
- Wheelchair Curling - Mixed team competition held in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Venues
The Games were held across three clusters, in Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, and Val di Fiemme [International Paralympic Committee, n.d.]. Para ice hockey was played at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, the opening ceremony took place in the Arena di Verona, and the closing ceremony was held at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium.
Classification System
Athletes at the 2026 Winter Paralympics were grouped into sport classes based on the nature and extent of their impairment, so that athletes with similar functional ability competed against each other. Eligible impairments include physical impairments, such as limb deficiency, impaired muscle power, and ataxia, and visual impairments. Each sport has its own classes; Para alpine skiing, for example, has standing, sitting, and visually impaired categories.
Participating Countries
Around 665 athletes from 55 National Paralympic Committees took part. Strong Winter Paralympic nations include China, the United States, Germany, Canada, Norway, Ukraine, and host nation Italy. Athletes qualified through pathways set by each sport, with quota places allocated to National Paralympic Committees.
Historical Context
Italy previously hosted the 2006 Winter Paralympic Games in Turin (Torino), so 2026 marked its return as host after 20 years. It was also the first time the Winter Paralympics were spread across several regions under a joint bid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where were the 2026 Winter Paralympics held?
The 2026 Winter Paralympics were hosted by Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, with Para biathlon and Para cross-country skiing held in Val di Fiemme.
When did the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympics take place?
The games were held from March 6 to March 15, 2026, following the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
What is Para Ice Hockey?
Para ice hockey is a fast contact team sport in which players use sledges and two sticks to move and shoot, following rules adapted from ice hockey, and the 2026 competition was held at an arena in Milan.
Who topped the medal table at the 2026 Winter Paralympics?
China topped the medal table with 44 medals in total, while host nation Italy won 16 medals, its best result at a Winter Paralympics.
How are athletes classified at the Winter Paralympics?
Athletes are grouped into sport classes based on the nature and extent of their impairment, covering physical impairments and visual impairments, so competitors with similar function compete together.
Who governs the Winter Paralympic Games?
The International Paralympic Committee governs the Winter Paralympic Games and works with the local organizing committee and the IOC for each edition.
Which country hosted the Winter Paralympics before Italy 2026?
Beijing, China, hosted the previous Winter Paralympic Games in 2022, before Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo took on the 2026 event.
What is Para snowboard?
Para snowboard is a Winter Paralympic sport for athletes with physical impairments, with events such as snowboard cross and banked slalom. It became a separate Paralympic sport at PyeongChang 2018.
References
- International Paralympic Committee. (n.d.). Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team. Last updated: