Milano Cortina 2026 awards Paralympic broadcast rights in Australia to Nine

Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 has announced that the 9Network has secured exclusive Australian broadcast rights for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

In Australia, Nine will bring the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games to audiences across the country through live coverage across the 9Network (including Channel 9 9Gem and its Broadcast Video On Demand (BVOD) platform 9Now. Coverage will also be available through Nine’s Subscription Video On Demand platform, Stan Sport as well as digital platforms including websites.

Andrea Varnier, CEO of Milano Cortina 2026 said: “We are thrilled to welcome Nine Network as the official Australian broadcaster of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. From 6 to 15 March 2026, as Italy takes the global spotlight with events across Verona, Milano, Cortina and Val di Fiemme, Australian fans will have the chance to follow every moment of this global celebration of high-performance winter sport and passion. We look forward to partner with Nine Network to bring the excitement of the Games directly to Australian audiences.“

Nine first secured broadcast rights for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games with its broadcast - including through more than 20 dedicated streams on 9Now and Stan Sport - watched by more than 10 million viewers 

The 9Network’s line-up of host commentators and experts during Paris 2024 were some of Australia’s most renowned Paralympians including the country’s most decorated Paralympian Ellie Cole, four-time Paralympic gold medallist and former Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott, as well as three-time Paralympic gold medallist Kurt Fearnley among others.

Matt Stanton, Nine Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are proud to continue our relationship with the Paralympic Games as the exclusive partner for Milano Cortina 2026. Using Nine’s unrivalled scale across streaming, broadcasting and publishing, Australian audiences will be able to immerse themselves, whenever and wherever, in all the action and the incredible stories of these amazing athletes.” 

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will take place from 6-15 March, 2026, marking the 50th anniversary of the first Paralympic Winter Games, and will feature up to 655 Para athletes competing in 79 medal events across six sports: Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard, and wheelchair curling.  

IPC President Andrew Parsons has said he believes Milano Cortina 2026 will be “the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet” with many stunning venues playing host to the Games, including the ancient Arena di Verona which will host the Opening Ceremony on 6 March 2026. 

For the first time since its Paralympic debut 20 years ago, wheelchair curling will feature a second medal event with the inclusion of mixed pairs.

According to Nielsen Sports research conducted on behalf of the International Paralympic Committee, more than 1,900 hours of coverage was broadcast from the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.