Seven legacies of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games may well still be one year away however the event is already having a transformational impact on the host cities and regions in Italy, triggering tremendous changes which benefit the whole of society.

Here are seven legacies of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games that prove Change Starts with Sport:

1. Improved accessibility in ancient Roman city

During Roman times accessibility was not top of mind when it came to constructing infrastructure. Happily, almost 2,000 years later, accessibility is now a greater priority and now EUR 20 million is being spent on improvements ahead of the Games.

The investment will improve accessibility in public spaces, city routes and at the iconic first Century built Arena di Verona which will host the Paralympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony on 6 March.

Accessibility improvements have also been planned and implemented in major museums and tourist attractions. In 2025, elevators will be installed to provide access to the city’s Bastions for people with mobility disabilities.

Currently 95 per cent of buses in Verona’s urban network are wheelchair accessible and the Municipality’s transport strategy aims to improve this further.

2. World’s fashion capital made further accessible

Even before the eight team Para ice hockey competition gets underway in Milan, the city is already one of the most accessible in Europe.

Three out of five Metro lines are fully accessible, accounting for 83 per cent of all stations overall, while the city’s buses are also fully accessible.

To improve the city further, EUR 55 million is being invested improving accessibility at 26 stations on the two Metro lines that are currently not accessible, installing elevators and stairlifts.

In addition, accessibility improvements are planned for all pedestrian routes and public transport stops directly related to the Games, such as the Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena which will stage Para ice hockey competition.

3. 1956 Olympic venue to meet highest standards

One tremendous legacy of the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games is that a venue used for the 1956 Olympic Winter Games will again be used 70 years later.

Ahead of hosting wheelchair curling competition and the Closing Ceremony, the historic Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium is being upgraded to include new elevators and enhanced facilities to meet high accessibility standards.

The Municipality of Cortina has also established a working group on accessible tourism, involving specialised organisations and key community stakeholders.

Through the "Destination4All" project, the Municipality of Cortina - in collaboration with the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation and the Hotel Association - is promoting the mapping and accessibility improvements of hospitality and restaurant facilities in preparation for 2026.

As well as hosting wheelchair curling and the Closing Ceremony, Cortina d’Ampezzo will host Para alpine skiing and Para snowboard competition.

4. Accessible tourism

The Municipality of Cortina, Province of Trento, Province of Bolzano and Veneto region are taking measures to improve accessibility and implement programmes that encourage accessible tourism for all.

The Province of Trento, which will host Para cross-country skiing and Para biathlon events, has developed the "Trentino for All" project with the goal to make the region an inclusive destination accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Major museums have undertaken or scheduled interventions which will be completed pre-Games to improve accessibility and usability for visitors with motor, sensory, or cognitive disabilities.

In 2023-2024, the Veneto region also provided funding of EUR 22 million to support accessible and eco-friendly hospitality infrastructure in mountain and Games-related area.

The goal for the Province of Bolzano is make natural trails, mountain paths, and lake areas more accessible to everyone, while the Province will also enhance disability-related tourist information on its tourism portal.

5. New accessible trains and infrastructure 

In the Lombardy region, 53 new accessible trains have been ordered at cost EUR 416 million while accessibility upgrades are planned at several stations, including platform elevation, barrier removal, new elevators, improved audio-visual information systems, and external area modifications.

In the Province of Bolzano, nearly all train stations along the Val Venosta, Val Pusteria, Brenner, and Bolzano-Merano railway lines have been renovated and are now barrier-free. The Valdaora-Anterselva station, a key hub for the Games, has also been upgraded. In preparation for the Games, the Province has acquired 15 additional low-entry trains, allowing for step-free boarding.

6. Sport for all

Through the Veneto region 2022-2026 regional sport policies, the aim is to promote sports holistically - both competitive and recreational - while ensuring the best use of Veneto’s sports facilities. Key initiatives include facility improvements, with funding for both sports promotion and infrastructure development, as well as support for equipment purchases, sporting events, school sports inclusion, and accessibility for athletes with disabilities.

The Province of Bolzano is collaborating with the Italian Paralympic Committee to provide training and financial support for local athletes of national interest who are likely to participate in Milano Cortina 2026. Curricular and extracurricular school projects are also being developed.

7. Improving access at airports

As with all editions of the Paralympic Games, it is vital that athletes, officials and all other stakeholders travelling for the Games benefit from a smooth arrival and departure into the host country.

Ahead of the Paralympic Winter Games, the Organising Committee with the support of the IPC, have conducted accessibility audits of both Milan Malpensa and Venice Airports, the main ports of entry for the Games.

Following the audit, the operators of both airports are resolving several identified issues in order to improve accessibility.

Secure your tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games

Tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games are now on sale, with 89 per cent of tickets costing EUR 35 or less. To buy tickets, please visit tickets.milanocortina2026.org