Milano Cortina 2026 set to be "the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet"

With one year to go (6 March 2025), International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons has said he fully expects Milano Cortina 2026 to be “the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet” and believes the performances of Paralympic athletes across all six sports will “captivate the minds” of spectators and TV viewers alike.

Milano Cortina 2026 will mark the 50th anniversary since the first Paralympic Winter Games in 1976 and tickets for the event will go on sale on 5 March 2025 with an exclusive 24-hour pre-sales period for Visa card customers. Tickets will then go on general sale on 6 March with approximately 89 per cent of them costing EUR 35 or less.

According to the IPC President there is much to be excited about for next year’s event.

“In terms of venues, we are in dreamland for Milano Cortina 2026, for certain they will be the most beautiful Paralympic Games yet,” said Parsons. “The Games will begin in the iconic Arena di Verona, Para ice hockey will be held in the world’s fashion capital Milan, the stunning Val di Fiemme will host Para biathlon and Para cross-country skiing, while Para alpine skiing, Para snowboard, wheelchair curling and the Closing Ceremony will take place at the heart of the Dolomites in Cortina, one of the of the most magical places on earth. I cannot wait to be there and for the action to begin.

“Bringing the venues to life will be incredible Paralympic athletes delivering world class sport. At Beijing 2022 we saw a whole new generation of young medal winning athletes emerge. Four years later and with greater experience, the talent will be even better, making all the sports even more competitive and exciting.

“Whether it’s the tactics and precision of wheelchair curling, the skill and brutality of Para ice hockey, the speed of Para alpine skiing, stamina of Para biathlon and Para cross-country skiing, or skill levels of Para snowboard, the sport at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will be sensational and will captivate the minds of spectators and TV viewers alike.”

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony will be held on 6 March at the Arena di Verona. Up to 665 Para athletes from 50 countries are set to compete at the Games, contesting 79 medal events across six sports.

Competition in wheelchair curling will begin on 4 March, two days ahead of the Opening Ceremony. The sport will feature two medal events – the mixed team competition which debuted at the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, and mixed doubles which will be included in the Games programme for the first time.

Transformational impact

As with previous Paralympic Games, Milano Cortina 2026 is already having a transformational impact on the host country.

EUR 20 million is being spent improving accessibility in Verona, including at the Arena di Verona which will host the Opening Ceremony.

With regards to transport and infrastructure, EUR 55 million is being invested in Milan to install elevators and stairlifts to Metro stations on the remaining two lines which are currently not fully accessible. 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.

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

Parsons said: “The Paralympic Games are the most transformational sport event on earth; wherever the event is held, it triggers immense change impacting infrastructure, policies and most importantly, lives.

“What is happening across Italy is monumental with so much investment into infrastructure that will benefit absolutely everyone for generations to come. I cannot thank the cities, regions and provinces involved enough for their commitment to using the Games as an opportunity to advance accessibility and inclusion.

“From new accessible trains to barrier-free stations, accessible tourism for all to initiatives to drive sport development, it is truly fantastic that the Games have acted as a catalyst for all these important projects. Once the sport begins next year and the public witnesses the performances of the Paralympic athletes, I am confident the Games will again change attitudes towards disability, further driving social inclusion,” he added.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will take place between 6-15 March 2026. To purchase tickets, which start from EUR 35 for adults and EUR 10 for under 14s, please visit https://tickets.milanocortina2026.org/en/