Milano Cortina 2026: Best advice for watching Para ice hockey

Expect a display of high speed action, remarkable skill, and sheer physical power when eight Para ice hockey teams take to the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

Para ice hockey fans watching on television or live in the arena will be mesmerised by the action-packed physicality of the sport, which made its Paralympic debut at Lillehammer 1994.

The sport, which has similar rules to Olympic ice hockey, has become one of the most popular sports on the Paralympic Winter Games programme.

“It’s fast and hard,” said retired German player Udo Segreff, who loves being in the stands and hearing the crowd roar when goals are scored.

“The action during a game is very intense and exciting.” 

Enjoy the energetic atmosphere

Segreff has been following the sport closely even after he retired from competition. He played at Torino 2006, when Germany made its Paralympic debut in the sport. 

With Milano Cortina 2026 being the first time a German team has qualified since then, he is excited that younger athletes from the country will have the same experience on competing on the biggest stage. 

Based on past experience, he expects the atmosphere to be electric when competition kicks off in Italy again on 7 March.

“There were 4,000 spectators – sold out – and we had a huge amount of fun on the ice. You could really feel it in the crowd as well – they were having fun too,” he said, adding he will be on hand to cheer for Germany.

The hardest video game

First-time spectators to Para ice hockey are advised to dress warm – long underwear, extra socks, beanies, and gloves.

Ashley Halbert, who has been involved as a fan, a mum and through her role with her Para ice hockey association in Calgary, Canada, said fans will quickly be shedding layers as they get swept up in the excitement.

“You would dress like you are going to an outdoor local hockey rink,” Halbert said.

“Have a little extra in your coffee mug to keep you warm.”

Halbert, whose son Auren, 23, is set to represent Canada at the Games, characterised the sport as “quite a vibe” and “relentless”.

She said spectators can look forward to seeing players in “beast mode”.

“It’s like the hardest video game you have ever seen in your life,” she said.

'Don't be shy'

Instead of skates, players with a lower limb impairments competeindouble-bladed sledges, which allow the puck to pass beneath them.

They use two sticks – one with a spiked end for manoeuvring around and another with a blade for shooting goals and passing.

There are six players, including the goalkeeper from each team, on the ice during the three 15-minute periods. 

As a spectator, it can be hard to know where to look because there is so much going on.

“Sometimes you’re following the puck and you realise you’ve missed half of what is going on in the corner because they are still kind of beefing, or they might have lost a stick, so they are still trying to get up,” Halbert said.

Segreff advises newbies to the sport to be loud and proud but also brace for emotional highs and lows.

“Don’t be shy, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the games. Every team wants to win and gives it their all,” he said.

“It’s exactly these emotions that you, as spectators, can take in and feel. Offence wins games – defence wins championships.”

Road to the Milano Cortina 2026 podium

For many years, the Canada-United States rivalry has dominated the podium results, but longtime followers say other countries are now stepping up.

The eight teams competing at Milano Cortina 2026 are hosts Italy, Canada, China, Czechia, Germany, Japan, Slovakia and the USA. 

The Canadian team won gold at Torino 2006, a milestone they will be seeking to emulate next month.

Czechia versus China has quietly become a thrilling matchup. China managed to net a bronze medal four years ago at the Beijing Winter Paralympics behind silver medallists Canada and Paralympic champions the USA. The US has five Para ice hockey gold medals in its trophy cabinet.

Host country Italy also hopes local support will help get them over the line.

Segreff said, despite the intense on-ice rivalry, there is always a strong camaraderie among players from all over the world at the Paralympic Village.

“All in all, we are one family and we love the sport we share and the challenge it brings,” he said. “There’s a lot of rivalry, and there are many friendships too.” 

Secure your tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games  

Milano Cortina 2026, which takes place from 6-15 March 2026, is set to be the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet. Ticket prices start at EUR 10 for children under 14, with approximately 89 per cent of the tickets available for EUR 35 or less.

For more information, please visit tickets.milanocortina2026.org