THE Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics is finally here!
With 79 medal events taking place across six major sports: Para Alpine Skiing, Para Biathlon, Para Cross-Country Skiing, Para Ice Hockey, Para Snowboard, and Wheelchair Curling.
The competition is spread across four key locations in Northern Italy: Milan, Verona, Tesero, and Cortina d’Ampezzo, ensuring the Games take over the entire region.
The setting provides a breathtaking backdrop for the 50th anniversary of the first Winter Paralympics, making 2026 a truly historic edition of the Games.
When does the Winter Paralympics start?
While the official Opening Ceremony in Verona takes place on March 6, the sporting action actually began slightly earlier with preliminary Wheelchair Curling sessions from March 4.
However, the medal hunt truly ignites on Saturday, March 7, as the first golds are handed out in Para Alpine Skiing and Para Biathlon.
For those following ParalympicsGB, the start of the Games is the culmination of years of intense training and preparation at venues like Stoke Mandeville.
When does the Winter Paralympics finish?
The Games will officially conclude on Sunday, March 15, 2026, with a final flurry of medal events in Para Cross-Country Skiing and the Para Ice Hockey gold medal match.
The action wraps up with a celebratory Closing Ceremony in Milan, which will be broadcast live on Channel 4 at 19:30 GMT.
The finale serves as a handover to the next host city and a chance for the 665 participating athletes to celebrate their achievements together.
What are the daily highlights of the Winter Paralympics?
Each day of the Milano Cortina Games offers unique must-watch moments, ranging from the high-speed thrills of the Downhill slopes to the tactical nature of Wheelchair Curling.
Early highlights include the Para Snowboard Cross finals on March 8 and the intense Para Biathlon sprints taking place in Val di Fiemme.
As the Games reach their midway point, the focus shifts to the newly introduced Mixed Doubles in Wheelchair Curling and the gruelling Para Cross-Country 20km races.
The final weekend is headlined by the atmosphere of the Para Snowboard Banked Slalom and the climactic Para Ice Hockey final, ensuring the 2026 Games end on an absolute high.