Milano Cortina 2026: What are you looking forward to at the Paralympics?

The countdown to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games is on. With one year to go until the Opening Ceremony, Para athletes are gearing up for their moment on the world’s biggest stage. The Games promise to deliver unforgettable action, incredible competition, and plenty of emotions, all set in picturesque venues in Italy.

Tickets for the Paralympic Games are now available. With approximately 89 per cent of the tickets available for EUR 35 or less, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch your favourite athletes take the spotlight at the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet. 

“It feels like time has moved so fast. It was like yesterday that we had the last Games (in Beijing), and it feels surreal to be just one year to go,” Sweden’s two-time Paralympic alpine skiing champion Ebba Aarsjoe said. “I do (feel the excitement). I think it will come a lot more when this season is over because then we will have the Paralympic camps and then you get the excitement up.”

As excitement continues to build, we asked athletes what they look forward to at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games and why you should be there too.

Showcase the best of winter Para sports

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics are expected to feature up to 665 athletes from 50 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) compete in six sports – Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard and wheelchair curling.

Aarsjoe says her life has changed after winning three medals on her Paralympic debut at Beijing 2022. Three years later, she is preparing to take the spotlight at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina D’Ampezzo.

“I am looking forward to racing at a really big event again and have my family and friends there,” Aarsjoe said.  “The venue that we are going to compete is really nice. We’ve had some races there, so we know how it is. It is a beautiful village.”

Para cross-country skier Natalie Wilkie already knows how much fun competing at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Val di Fiemme would be.

“I’m looking forward to skiing the courses because they are really, really fun - lots of massive climbs and downhill corner that I enjoy practicing. It was challenging but rewarding,” the Canadian athlete said.

“The experience of going to the Games with my teammates and my friends, it’s such a unifying experience and I’m really looking forward to doing that.

Be a part of the most beautiful Games

Italian Para ice hockey players Gabriele Lanza, Andrea Macri and Alessandro Andreoni believe that Milano Cortina 2026 will showcase the beauty of the host cities. While there will be thousands of photographs from the Games, they say it is so much better to watch competitions in person at stunning venues.

Competitions will take place in three clusters – Milan, Cortina D’Ampezzo, and Val di Fiemme, with several of the venues located at the heart of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Lanza said, “At the Paralympics, you can see Milano and the Dolomites, two very beautiful places. So come here, enjoy the race, enjoy your competition.”

His teammate and two-time Paralympian Andreoni added, “They will see a lot of beautiful things – Italian beauty and the surroundings and very historical places and amazing landscapes.”

“The Italian way of doing things – our style. It’s the best that the Italian project can be.”

Three-time Paralympian Lisa Bunschoten says northern Italy is one of her favourite places to snowboard. Eight medal events will take place at the Cortina Para Snowboard Park.

"I really look forward to be competing in Italy because it's a beautiful area. I love the mountains there and it's one of my favourite places to snowboard,” the Dutch athlete said. “I'm looking forward to all the races. To be back racing at the Games, I'm really looking forward to that.”

Spectators return to the Paralympic Winter Games

Spectators will return to the Paralympic Winter Games for the first time since PyeongChang 2018. Fans give athletes a boost during competitions, pushing them to do their best. 

France’s Arthur Bauchet is happy that the Paralympic Games are held close to home and looks forward to competing in front of familiar faces in the stands.

“I think Milano Cortina will definitely be different. I know that all my family will come. They were about 11 at the Games in PyeongChang in 2018. I think it’s going to be around 15 or 16 people in Milano Cortina,” Bauchet said. “It will be a special moment to go back in the Games when you can celebrate with your family and friends. This is the Games atmosphere, to celebrate and have fun. This will be great.”

“To me, my family is very important so to have them during this important moment is very crucial for me. I hope it work out at the Milano Cortina Games.”

At the Wheelchair Curling World Championships in Scotland, Jon Thurston of Canada shared his excitement for the Games. Wheelchair curling competitions will start on 4 March 2026, two days before the Opening Ceremony at the historic Arena di Verona, with the mixed doubles tournament featured at a Paralympic Winter Games for the first time. 

"I'm looking forward to having spectators in Milano Cortina. To have family and friends there, holding the Canada flag there, cheering on, it will be an amazing experience," said Thurston, a member of Canada's bronze medal winning team at Beijing 2022.

Fashion meets the Paralympics

Since Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world, athletes are also looking forward to how fashion meets the Paralympic Games. What will the Paralympic medals look like? What will the Paralympic Torch and Cauldron look like? Athletes are certain that Italy will not disappoint.

“What I’m looking forward to at Milano Cortina Games? I have the perfect answer,” Japan’s nine-time Paralympic alpine skiing medallist Momoka Muraoka said. “I am looking forward to the design of the medals and of course I want to bring them home with me.”

Experience the Italian spirit...and the food

Norway’s Jesper Pedersen is not shy to say that Italian food is one of the things he is looking forward to the most as he aims to repeat his Beijing 2022 success.

“The three things I’m looking forward to in Milano Cortina are the scenery, the competitions and the food,” said Pedersen, who won four gold medals in Para alpine skiing at Beijing 2022. “When you’re in Italy, you need to eat some pizza.”

For Carina Edlinger, Milano Cortina 2026 is a big celebration of winter Para sport. Seven years after making her Paralympic debut at PyeongChang 2018, the two-time Paralympic cross-country skiing champion is excited about having a different experience next year.

“When I think about Milano Cortina, I always say I want to sing and eat pizza. It’s not about going there to win gold, it’s about singing and eating pizza,” Edlinger said with a smile.

“But of course, I’m a Paralympic champion and I basically reached everything, what I can do, in cross-country skiing but I’ve never done it in biathlon. Paralympics are something different and it would be my No. 1 goal to prove it there.”

And the Austrian athlete has a message to Paralympic fans around the world.

“It’s one year to go to the Paralympics in Milano Cortina. Tune in and you won’t be disappointed at what you are going to see there,” Edlinger said. “It’s pure sports and emotions and feelings and only what you can dream about. It’s all there.”

SECURE YOUR TICKETS FOR THE MILANO CORTINA 2026 PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES

Tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games are now available. Approximately 89 per cent of the tickets will cost EUR 35 or less.

For more information, please visit the official ticketing platform (tickets.milanocortina2026.org).