IPC launches RFI for European media rights for Milano Cortina 2026

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has launched a Request for Information (RFI) inviting parties to submit their interest in acquiring the European media rights for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

Broadcasters have until 24 January 2025 to express their interest, with the IPC eager to expand coverage and global reach of the Paralympic Games, maximise revenues, and work with Media Rights Holder passionate about the development on and off-air talent with a disability.

The rights available include Free to Air and Pay television, streaming and digital platforms, and radio. Non-exclusive access to the IPC’s digital archive of more than 14,500 hours of Paralympic Games footage is also available.

For the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games up to 300 hours of live coverage will be available to Media Rights Holders who can expect a similar level of coverage to the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

Complementing the live coverage will be a range of digital content that rights holders can utilise across all TV and online channels before, during and after the Winter Games.

John Lisko, the IPC’s Managing Director of Global Media Rights, said: “Following the success of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, we are excited to launch an RFI for the European Media Rights for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

“If Paris 2024 hypnotised audiences with arguably the most spectacular and iconic city centre sport venues we have ever witnessed, then the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, with venues in the heart of the Dolomites, will mesmerise viewers through majestic and natural beauty.

“As we gear up for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games and the 50th anniversary of the first Paralympic Winter Games, we do so with the knowledge that the performance level and competitive nature of Paralympic sport have never been better and that the Paralympic Games has firmly established itself as the most transformational sporting event on earth.

“Through this RFI, we want to hear from media rights holders eager to maximise engagement with European audiences, excited to place persons with disabilities at the heart of their productions, and enthusiastic at playing a key role in the inclusion revolution.”

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will take place between 6-15 March 2026. A maximum 665 athletes from around 50 nations will compete in 79 medal events across six sports.  The Opening Ceremony will take place at the spectacular Arena di Verona, and wheelchair curling mixed doubles will make its Paralympic debut.

For the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, Infront was appointed as the European Media Right Holder for all markets with the exception of the United Kingdom where the rights were awarded to Channel 4.  A global cumulative TV audience of 2.1 billion watched Beijing 2022, the most ever for a Paralympic Winter Games.

The worldwide broadcast rights to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games were transferred to the Organising Committee for the Winter Games under the Host City Contract when the city/cities were appointed by the International Olympic Committee to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Milano Cortina 2026 appointed the IPC as its exclusive agent to sell and manage the Broadcast Rights to the Winter Games.

Interested broadcasters should contact the IPC via email at RFIMiCo@paralympic.org for the RFI and to participate in the process.  Final date for expressing interest is 24 January 2025.