The action in Italy is far from over.
The 2026 Winter Paralympics begin March 6, 2026, bringing the world’s top para-athletes back to the global stage across Northern Italy. With events running through March 15, the Games will be broadcast in the United States on NBC and Peacock — delivering more than 300 hours of coverage worldwide.
Here’s your complete, SEO-optimized guide to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games — including venues, tickets, medal events, torch relay details, volunteer opportunities, and the geopolitical storylines shaping this historic edition.
📅 When Are the 2026 Winter Paralympics?
- Opening Ceremony: March 6, 2026
- Closing Ceremony: March 15, 2026
- Total Medal Events: 79
- Athletes: 665 quota places
- Nations: 55 National Paralympic Committees
This marks the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympic Games, making Milano Cortina 2026 a milestone edition.
🇮🇹 Italy’s Third Paralympics — And a Multi-City First
Italy previously hosted:
- The inaugural 1960 Summer Paralympics
- The 2006 Winter Paralympics
Milano Cortina 2026 becomes:
- The first Winter Paralympics since 1992 Winter Paralympics to officially feature multiple host cities
- The first since 2010 Winter Paralympics to hold opening and closing ceremonies in different venues
🏟️ Key Venues Across Northern Italy
Milan Cluster
- Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (Para ice hockey)
- Paralympic Village
Val di Fiemme Cluster
- Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium (Para biathlon & cross-country)
Cortina Cluster
- Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre (Para alpine skiing)
- Cortina Para Snowboard Park
- Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Wheelchair curling & Closing Ceremony)
Verona
- Verona Arena (Opening Ceremony: “Life in Motion”)
Five competition venues + three Paralympic Villages will anchor the Games.
🔥 Torch Relay: 2,000 Kilometers of Inspiration
The flame will be lit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement.
- Relay dates: Feb 24 – March 6
- 501 torchbearers
- 2,000 km route
- Final stop: Verona Arena
The torch, named “Essential,” is made from recycled aluminum and bronze, powered by renewable bio-LPG fuel — reinforcing sustainability goals.
🥇 Sports & Events: What’s New?
Milano Cortina 2026 will feature six Winter Paralympic sports:
- Para alpine skiing (30 events)
- Para biathlon (18)
- Para cross-country skiing (20)
- Para snowboard (8)
- Para ice hockey (1)
- Wheelchair curling (2, including mixed doubles debut)
Wheelchair curling mixed doubles will make its Paralympic debut.
🎟️ Ticket Prices & Demand
- Tickets start at €10 for children under 14
- 89% of tickets priced under €35
- Over 200,000 affordable tickets available
With strong early registration numbers, organizers anticipate near-capacity attendance across major venues.
🌍 Participating Nations & Debuts
A total of 55 National Paralympic Committees will compete.
Notable debuts:
- El Salvador
- Montenegro
- Portugal
Returns after hiatus:
- Lithuania (first since 1994)
- South Africa (first since 2010)
⚖️ Russia & Belarus Controversy
In September 2025, the International Paralympic Committee reinstated the Russian Paralympic Committee, allowing athletes to compete under their national flags.
However:
- Several federations continue restricting qualification routes
- Ukraine and other European nations announced boycotts of official ceremonies
- Some broadcasters are limiting coverage of opening events
This geopolitical storyline is expected to dominate headlines alongside athletic competition.
🎭 Ceremonies & Cultural Identity
Opening Ceremony: “Life in Motion”
Closing Ceremony: “Italian Souvenir”
The official mascot Milo, a brown stoat born without a leg, represents ingenuity and resilience.
The official song:
Fino all’alba by Arisa
📺 How to Watch the 2026 Winter Paralympics
In the U.S.:
- NBC (select coverage)
- Peacock (streaming access)
The European Broadcasting Union holds pan-European rights.
Global distribution ensures one of the most accessible Winter Paralympics in history.
Why Milano Cortina 2026 Matters
This isn’t just another Paralympics.
It’s:
- A 50th anniversary milestone
- A sustainability showcase
- A multi-city innovation
- A geopolitical flashpoint
- A global broadcast expansion
From Verona’s ancient arena to Cortina’s alpine slopes, the Games promise elite sport, emotional stories, and record-breaking global reach.
Final Take
The Olympics may be over — but Italy’s winter spotlight continues.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics are set to deliver world-class competition, powerful narratives, and history-making moments beginning March 6.
The world will be watching.
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