The Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina 2026 will mark a historic milestone in international adaptive sports. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympic Games, this edition is expected to be the largest in history, bringing together more than 600 athletes from 56 nations.
The Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina 2026 represents the 14th edition of the Winter Paralympic Games and will showcase world-class athletes competing across six winter sports. Several countries including El Salvador, Haiti, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Portugal will make their Paralympic winter debut, further expanding global representation.
According to International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons, the Games will feature highly competitive sport that inspires audiences and highlights the power of inclusion.
Host Cities and Venues of Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina 2026
Like the Olympic Winter Games held earlier, the Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina 2026 will take place across multiple locations in northern Italy. Events will be distributed among several venues spanning hundreds of miles.
Opening Ceremony
The official opening ceremony will be held in Verona, where athletes and spectators from around the world will gather to celebrate the start of the Games.
Main Competition Locations
| Location | Venue | Sport/Event |
|---|---|---|
| Cortina d’Ampezzo | Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre | Para-Alpine Skiing |
| Cortina d’Ampezzo | Various venues | Wheelchair Curling & Para-Snowboard |
| Predazzo (near Tesero) | Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium | Para-Biathlon & Para Cross-Country |
| Milan | Santagiulia Stadium | Para-Ice Hockey |
Cortina d’Ampezzo will serve as the central hub of the Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina 2026, hosting several major competitions.
Sports and Competition Categories
The Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina 2026 will feature six different sports and a total of 79 medal events. A new addition to the program is the wheelchair curling mixed doubles event, introduced after the Beijing 2022 Games.
Six Main Sports
- Para-Alpine Skiing
- Para-Biathlon
- Para Cross-Country Skiing
- Para-Snowboard
- Para-Ice Hockey
- Wheelchair Curling
Classification System
Events in the Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina 2026 are divided into categories based on athletes’ disabilities. This ensures fair competition and equal opportunity.
For example:
- Para-Alpine Skiing includes slalom, giant slalom, super-G, downhill, and super combined, with separate events for visually impaired, standing, and sitting athletes.
- Para Cross-Country Skiing includes sprint, distance, and relay races across multiple classifications.
- Para-Snowboard includes snowboard cross and banked slalom, with specific categories depending on the level of lower-limb impairment.
- Para-Ice Hockey features teams of six players on ice, all athletes having lower-limb disabilities.
- Wheelchair Curling differs from traditional curling because no sweepers are used during play.
Star Athletes to Watch
The Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina 2026 will showcase many elite Paralympic athletes who have already made history in winter sports.
Giacomo Bertagnolli (Italy)
One of Italy’s biggest medal hopes is Giacomo Bertagnolli, a visually impaired alpine skier. He has already earned eight Paralympic medals, including four gold medals, and will compete in all five alpine skiing disciplines.
Bertagnolli has expressed excitement about competing in front of home fans in the Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina 2026, hoping for strong spectator support.
Oksana Masters (United States)
Oksana Masters is one of the most decorated Paralympians in the world. She has competed in multiple Paralympic sports, including:
- Adaptive cycling
- Rowing
- Para-biathlon
She won two gold medals in the sitting biathlon events at Beijing 2022.
Brenna Huckaby (United States)
Another headline athlete is Brenna Huckaby, a three-time Paralympic snowboarding champion and an outspoken advocate for disability rights. Huckaby has also been honored twice at the ESPY Awards as the best athlete with a disability.
Other Competitors
- Ukraine will send a 25-athlete delegation to compete.
- Iran will be represented by Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei, competing in para cross-country skiing events.
Team Great Britain Expectations
Great Britain will enter the Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina 2026 with a 25-member squad. Officials have avoided setting a strict medal target, instead focusing on athletes achieving personal best performances.
Expected Medal Range
Experts predict that Team GB may secure between two and five medals, slightly fewer than the six medals won at Beijing 2022.
Key British Athletes
Neil Simpson, who won gold in the visually impaired super-G event in Beijing, will compete again alongside his guide and brother Andrew Simpson.
Another major athlete is Menna Fitzpatrick MBE, the most decorated British Winter Paralympian, who has won six Paralympic medals, including slalom gold at Pyeongchang 2018. She returns to the Games despite recovering from two serious injuries in the past year, including a knee injury sustained only three months before competition.
Political Challenges Surrounding the Games
The Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina 2026 could become the most politically sensitive edition in the event’s history.
Controversy arose after the International Paralympic Committee reversed its ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under their national flags. This decision has sparked strong reactions internationally.
As a result:
- Seven central and eastern European countries plan to boycott the opening ceremony.
- Six of those countries are doing so in support of Ukraine.
In addition, the IPC has faced uncertainty regarding participation from certain nations due to escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Despite these geopolitical tensions, IPC President Andrew Parsons emphasized that the Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina 2026 should focus on sport and inclusion, highlighting the importance of representation for people with disabilities worldwide.
The Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina 2026 promises to be one of the largest and most significant Paralympic events ever held. With over 600 athletes, 79 medal events, and participation from 56 countries, the Games will showcase the remarkable abilities of athletes with disabilities.
From thrilling alpine races in Cortina d’Ampezzo to intense para-ice hockey matches in Milan, the competition will offer unforgettable sporting moments. At the same time, the Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina 2026 highlights the broader message of inclusion, resilience, and equality in global sport.
Whether the spotlight remains on athletic achievements or shifts toward global political developments, the Games will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the world of Paralympic sport.