Travel Seamlessly for Winter Paralympics 2026!
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The Winter Paralympics 2026 marks a significant milestone: 50 years since the first Winter Paralympic Games in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden in 1976. Milano Cortina hosts the 14th Winter Paralympics from March 6-15, bringing 665 elite para-athletes from approximately 50 nations to compete across 79 medal events in six sports. Italy returns as Paralympic host for the first time since Turin 2006, spreading competition across the same Alpine and urban venues that showcased the Winter Olympics two weeks earlier.
The Games open March 6th at Verona’s Roman Arena with ceremony entitled ‘Life in Motion,’ then conclude March 15th at Cortina Olympic Ice Stadium with ‘Italian Souvenir’ closing celebration. This marks the first Winter Paralympics since Vancouver 2010 where opening and closing ceremonies occur in different cities, emphasizing the multi-city character that defines Milano Cortina 2026.
2026 Winter Paralympics Dates
The 2026 Winter Paralympics dates run March 6-15, 2026. The 2026 Winter Paralympics dates Milano Cortina follow this schedule:
| Date | Event | Location | Details |
| March 6 | Opening Ceremony | Verona Arena | Entitled “Life in Motion,” the ceremony begins at 8:00 PM in the historic Roman amphitheater. |
| March 7–14 | Competition Days | Various Venues | Athletes compete in 79 events across 6 sports including Para Ice Hockey (Milan) and Para Alpine Skiing (Cortina). |
| March 15 | Closing Ceremony | Cortina Ice Stadium | The “Italian Souvenir” finale takes place at 8:30 PM (20:30) following the final medal events. |
The Paralympic torch relay runs February 24 – March 6, with 501 torchbearers covering 2,000 kilometers. The flame lights at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in the UK (birthplace of the Paralympic movement), then travels to five Italian cities before reaching Verona for the opening ceremony. The bronze Paralympic torch was revealed simultaneously in Milan and Osaka, designed by Studio Carlo Ratti Associati and made from recycled aluminum and bronze alloy.
The Six Paralympic Winter Sports
Milano Cortina 2026 features 79 medal events across six Paralympic winter sports:
Para Alpine Skiing
Alpine skiing adapted for athletes with physical impairments across sitting, standing, and vision impaired classifications. Competitions include downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, and super combined. Italy’s Giacomo Bertagnolli (two golds at Beijing 2022) returns as host nation star alongside guide Andrea Ravelli. Austria’s Johannes Aigner and Canada’s Mollie Jepsen lead medal contenders.
Para Biathlon
Combines cross-country skiing with rifle shooting. Athletes ski loops between shooting ranges where they fire at targets from prone or standing positions. Team USA’s Kendall Gretsch defends her Beijing gold as one of few athletes competing in both summer and winter Paralympics. Germany’s Marco Maier and Ukraine’s Oleksandra Kononova dominate standings.
Para Cross-Country Skiing
Endurance racing across varied snow terrain. Classifications include sitting (sit-ski), standing, and vision impaired with guides. Japan’s Taiki Morii seeks medals at age 45, two decades after winning bronze at Turin 2006. Brazil’s Aline Rocha competes as her nation’s Paralympic pioneer.
Para Ice Hockey
Formerly called sledge hockey, played on specially designed sleds with double-bladed sticks for propulsion and puck handling. Team USA’s Declan Farmer leads the most successful para ice hockey program globally heading into Milano Cortina. Canada and South Korea pose primary threats.
Para Snowboard
Snowboard cross and banked slalom competitions for athletes with lower limb impairments. The Netherlands’ Lisa Bunschoten and China’s Ji Lijia headline women’s field, while USA’s Mike Schultz and France’s Maxime Montaggioni battle in men’s categories.
Wheelchair Curling
Curling adapted for wheelchair users, with athletes delivering stones from stationary chairs without sweeping. Mixed doubles makes its Paralympic debut at Milano Cortina alongside traditional team competition. Italy returns to wheelchair curling for the first time since Vancouver 2010, when the sport debuted at Turin 2006. Great Britain’s Hugh Nibloe and Sweden’s Viljo Petersson-Dahl lead experienced squads.
Winter Paralympics 2026 Tickets
Winter Paralympics 2026 tickets went on sale in March 2025 through the official ticketing platform tickets.milanocortina2026.org. Pricing emphasizes accessibility, with 89% of tickets available for €35 or less.
Tickets Overview
| Ticket Type | Price Range | Details |
| Children (Under 14) | Starting at €10 | Available for all sports sessions to keep the Games accessible. |
| Standard Events | €15 – €35 | Covers ~89% of all competition tickets, including most preliminary rounds. |
| Premium / Finals | €50 – €80 | Includes Para Ice Hockey finals and high-demand medal ceremonies. |
| Opening Ceremony | €100 – €650 | Held at the historic Verona Arena on March 6, 2026. |
| Closing Ceremony | €150 – €350 | Held at the Cortina Ice Stadium on March 15, 2026. |
All tickets are digital-only, delivered via the Milano Cortina 2026 mobile app. Physical tickets will not be issued. Tickets are personalized but transferable through the app, allowing name changes up to 48 hours before events. An official resale platform operates through the app for secure ticket transfers.
Venues and Getting Around
Competition Locations
Paralympics use the same venues as the Olympics across five clusters:
Milano: Para ice hockey at Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena
Cortina d’Ampezzo: Para alpine skiing at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre; wheelchair curling at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium
Val di Fiemme: Para cross-country and para biathlon at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium
Livigno: Para snowboard at Livigno Snow Park
Verona: Opening ceremony at Verona Arena
Transportation
Milano Cortina‘s spread across Northern Italy creates transportation challenges. Organizers operate free shuttle systems connecting venues within each cluster. Between clusters, travelers rely on train services:
| Destination | Travel Time | Recommended Route |
| Verona | 1.5 Hours | Direct high-speed train from Milano Centrale. |
| Val di Fiemme | 3.5 Hours | Train to Trento, followed by a local shuttle. |
| Cortina d’Ampezzo | 4–5 Hours | Train to Mestre/Venice, then the “Cortina Express” bus. |
The official Milano Cortina 2026 transport app provides real-time schedules integrating trains, shuttles, and local transit. Download before traveling to configure offline functionality.
Milano Cortina Paralympics Bag Policy
The Milano Cortina Paralympics bag policy restricts bag size to maximum 40 × 30 × 20 cm (approximately 35 liters). Bags exceeding these dimensions will not be permitted through security screening. No bag storage facilities operate at venues, so visitors must plan accordingly.
Prohibited Items
Security screening prohibits: large suitcases or oversized bags, outside food (except baby food or medical dietary needs with documentation), alcoholic beverages, glass containers, aerosol sprays including deodorant, professional camera equipment with lenses exceeding 20cm, tripods, umbrellas larger than small folding size, flags exceeding 1×2 meters, poles or rigid objects, illegal substances, weapons of any kind, fireworks or pyrotechnics.
Permitted items include: personal plastic or metal water bottles up to 750ml, baby food and milk, prescription medications with documentation, small folding umbrellas, smartphones and personal cameras, accessibility equipment and mobility aids.
Athletes to Watch
Several Paralympic legends compete at Milano Cortina alongside rising stars:
Oksana Masters (USA): Most decorated Team USA Winter Paralympian with 14 winter medals and five summer medals. Won seven medals in seven events at Beijing 2022. Competes in cross-country skiing and biathlon.
Giacomo Bertagnolli (Italy): Double gold medalist (super combined, slalom vision impaired) at Beijing 2022. Host nation flagbearer and medal favorite racing with guide Andrea Ravelli.
Declan Farmer (USA): Five Paralympic gold medals in para ice hockey. Leads Team USA’s dynasty seeking another title.
Taiki Morii (Japan): Returns to Italy 20 years after winning bronze at Turin 2006. Seeks ‘most beautiful color’ medal at age 45.
Luggage Storage for Paralympics
Attending Paralympics across multiple days and venues creates luggage challenges. The strict 40×30×20cm bag policy prohibits bringing standard suitcases to venues. Hotels in Milano, Cortina, and Val di Fiemme accommodate early check-ins and late checkouts inconsistently during Paralympic weeks. Radical Storage operates locations throughout Northern Italy including Milano Centrale station, Verona, Venice, and near major venues.
Drop bags for €5 per day (reduced from €3.90 standard rate) with €3,000 insurance coverage. Store luggage before heading to venues, attend competitions hands-free within bag policy restrictions, then retrieve bags before continuing to next destinations or departures.
FAQs
79 medal events across six sports. Gender distribution includes 323 men’s quota spots, 176 women’s spots, and 166 gender-free positions.
Yes, though they’re separate ticketing systems. Paralympics occur March 6-15, two weeks after Olympics conclude February 22. This gap allows venue conversion and setup changes.
All venues meet accessibility standards with designated seating areas, accessible restrooms, and elevator/ramp access. Purchase accessible seating through the official ticketing platform.
Italian and English operate as primary languages at venues. Volunteers and information booths provide multilingual support. The official app includes translation features.
Final Thoughts
The Winter Paralympics 2026 celebrates a half-century since Örnsköldsvik 1976 while showcasing how far Paralympic sport has evolved. From 53 athletes at those first Winter Paralympics to 665 at Milano Cortina, the movement has grown exponentially in participation, technical sophistication, and global reach. Italy’s embrace of Paralympic hosting for the second time demonstrates sustained commitment to para-sport visibility.
Milano Cortina’s multi-city format creates logistical complexity but offers opportunity to experience diverse Italian regions from Alpine villages to urban centers. The accessible ticket pricing (89% under €35) removes financial barriers that sometimes limit Paralympic attendance. Whether witnessing Giacomo Bertagnolli chase home-nation gold, watching Team USA defend para ice hockey dominance, or experiencing the emotional power of Opening Ceremony at Verona’s ancient arena, the Winter Paralympics 2026 delivers athletic excellence celebrating 50 years of Paralympic winter sport.