Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games: A Comprehensive Guide

The 2026 Winter Paralympic Games are underway in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, marking a significant milestone as the 50th anniversary of the first Winter Paralympics, held in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden in 1976. From March 6th to 15th, 611 athletes from 55 nations are competing across six sports, with a record-breaking 79 events scheduled. This edition also marks the third time Italy has hosted the Paralympic Games, following the 1960 Summer Games in Rome and the 2006 Winter Games in Turin.

A Historic Games

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games are not only a celebration of athletic achievement but also a testament to the growing inclusivity and accessibility of sports. The Games will be shown in a record-breaking 126 countries, with streaming options ensuring global reach Olympics.com. Five National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) are making their Winter Games debut this year.

Sports Featured at Milano Cortina 2026

Athletes will compete in the following six sports:

• Para Alpine Skiing
• Para Biathlon
• Para Cross-Country Skiing
• Para Ice Hockey
• Para Snowboard
• Wheelchair Curling

The Para alpine skiing downhill medals were the first to be decided on the opening day of full competition Paralympic.org. Biathlon also features six events, with sprint medals also awarded early in the Games.

Opening Ceremony and Key Moments

The Paralympic Winter Games officially opened on March 6th, 2026, in a spectacular ceremony held at a UNESCO World Heritage site in Milan Paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons delivered a speech during the opening ceremony. Twenty-eight NPCs were represented by athletes in the Opening Ceremony Parade, which followed Italian alphabetical order. Veronika Aigner of Austria won the first gold medal of the Games in the women’s downhill vision impaired category Paralympic.org.

Team USA at the Games

The United States is represented by 68 athletes (and four guides) at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games NPR. Many of these athletes are seasoned Paralympic veterans. The U.S. Has the second-largest contingent, trailing only China, which dominated the medal count at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics. Team USA remains the all-time leader in Winter Paralympic medals and aims to add to its impressive collection.

How to Watch

The opening ceremony was broadcast by NBC, online, and on Peacock, live at 2 p.m. ET and again in primetime at 8 p.m. NPR.

NPC Iran’s Absence

Notably, the NPC Iran will not be competing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. Despite being scheduled to participate with one Para athlete in Para cross-country skiing, safety concerns prevented their travel Paralympic.org.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games promise to be a celebration of athletic prowess, resilience, and the spirit of inclusivity. As the Games progress, they will undoubtedly inspire audiences worldwide and leave a lasting legacy for the Paralympic movement.