Winter Paralympics 2026 in Milan-Cortina: Your essential guide to the battle for gold

Preparations are in full swing and excitement is building: in just a few days, the moment will finally arrive. From 6 to 15 March 2026, Italy will become the heart of the Paralympic winter sports world. The 14th Winter Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo promise not only thrilling competition, but also a spectacular backdrop that uniquely blends history and modernity. If you're wondering what this year's Winter Paralympics 2026 has in store, here's your ultimate Winter Paralympics 2026 guide.

Five venues, one goal: the stages of the Games

For the first time, two cities officially share the hosting duties, but the competitions will actually be spread across five different venues – each with its own distinct character. The journey begins with the Opening Ceremony in a truly historic setting: the Arena di Verona, a nearly 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre, will provide a grand welcome for the athletes. A place where gladiators once fought now becomes the stage for a peaceful contest for Paralympic medals.

The athletes will then compete for silverware across several locations:

• Milan (Santa Giulia Arena): Inside a brand new, state-of-the-art hall with a capacity of up to 14,000 spectators, the para ice hockey action will unfold. It's set to be tough, fast, and emotionally charged.
• Cortina d'Ampezzo (Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio): A historic setting for the wheelchair curlers. This arena was originally built for the 1956 Olympic Winter Games and has now been modernised for the Paralympics. It will also host the Closing Ceremony.
• Cortina d'Ampezzo (Parasnowboard Park & Tofane): Right beneath the imposing Tofane massif lie the slopes for the alpine skiers and snowboarders. The famous "Olimpia delle Tofane" downhill course stretches for 2,560 metres with a demanding 750-metre vertical drop – a genuine challenge.
• Tesero (Val di Fiemme): About 100 kilometres from Cortina, in the heart of the Fiemme Valley, cross-country skiers and biathletes will find their terrain. Here, the endurance kings will be crowned on the trails of legends.

The prizes: medals with depth

What would the fight for the podium be without the coveted awards? The Milan-Cortina medals are miniature works of art. They are 8 cm in diameter and 1 cm thick. A total of 1,146 have been minted, with 411 (137 of each colour) going to the Paralympians. Visually, they closely resemble their Olympic counterparts, with one crucial difference: the obverse features not the Olympic Rings, but the Agitos, the symbol of the Paralympic Movement. And on the reverse – a powerful statement of inclusion – the name of the discipline is also inscribed in Braille.

Focus on the red and white: Poland's gold mission

For the Polish delegation, these Games hold special significance. It's a mission to end a 20-year dry spell. The last time Poland celebrated gold at the Winter Paralympics was in 2006 in Turin, when Katarzyna Rogowiec triumphed twice in cross-country skiing (5km freestyle and 15km classical). Since then, the team has had to settle for silver and bronze, with the most recent medallist being Igor Sikorski, who took bronze in the giant slalom in PyeongChang in 2018.

This year, they're aiming to change that. The Polish team for this Winter Paralympics 2026 review is all but finalised. Nine athletes (plus six sighted guides) will carry the red and white flag. There was a particularly happy ending for Paweł Gil. The parabiathlete had met the qualifying standard but, initially, quota allocations meant he missed out. Thanks to a wildcard, a stroke of luck, he and his guide Radosław Koszyk can now travel to Italy after all. Hopes are pinned on experienced competitors like Piotr Garbowski (cross-country skiing) and the strong biathlete Błażej Bieńko, who finished fourth in a World Cup event this winter. They are all united by the dream of matching that golden era of Rogowiec.

The stage is set: spectacular venues, precious medals, and the unwavering determination of athletes from around the world to crown a lifetime of achievement with glory. It's time to tune in on TV or follow the buzz on social media – the Winter Paralympics 2026 are set to captivate us all. If you want to know how to experience the Winter Paralympics 2026, just watch and soak up the pure excitement.