2026 Winter Paralympics
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| Location | Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy |
|---|---|
| Athletes | 600+ |
| Events | 79 in 6 sports |
| Opening | 6 March 2026 (in 14 months) |
| Closing | 15 March 2026 |
| Stadium | Verona Arena (opening ceremony) Cortina Ice Olympic Stadium (closing ceremony) |
Winter Summer
2026 Winter Olympics | |
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| Part of a series on |
| 2026 Winter Paralympics |
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The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games (Italian: Milano Cortina 2026 Giochi paralimpici invernali), also known as the 2026 Winter Paralympics (Italian: Giochi paralimpici invernali del 2026) and Milano Cortina 2026, is an upcoming international winter multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, scheduled to take place from 6 to 15 March, with the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo as hosts.
Organised by Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 and governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), this will be the third Paralympic Games hosted in Italy, following the 1960 Summer Paralympics in Rome (the inaugural Paralympic Games) and the 2006 Winter Paralympics in Turin. It also marks the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympic Games.
Host selection
[edit]In October 2018, the Italian National Olympic Committee officially confirmed plans for a bid by Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo to host the Games.[1] The bid was presented at the general assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees on 28 November 2018 in Tokyo.[2] The two cities were elected as hosts of both the 2026 Paralympics and Olympics on 24 June 2019 at the 134th IOC Session in Lausanne, Switzerland, defeating Sweden's joint bid of Stockholm and Åre.[3]
| Bid | Nation | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Milan–Cortina d'Ampezzo |  Italy
|
47 |
| Stockholm–Åre |  Sweden
|
34 |
| One abstention or blank vote[5] | ||
Development and preparations
[edit]Handover ceremony
[edit]The handover occurred during the closing ceremony of the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing, China, on 13 March. The Paralympic flag was passed from Beijing mayor Chen Jining to IPC president Andrew Parsons, and then to Anna Scavuzzo, vice-mayor of Milan, and Gianpietro Ghedina, mayor of Cortina d'Ampezzo.[6][7] The flag was then flown back to Italy, where it arrived the following day.[8] The Paralympic flag is displayed in Milan's Palazzo Marino, where the Olympic flag is also displayed, until February 2026.[9]
Torch relay
[edit]The torch relay is scheduled to take place from 24 February to 6 March 2026, with 501 torchbearers covering 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi). The flame will be lit at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital in United Kingdom, followed by flame festivals in five Italian cities; the relay will visit Cortina d'Ampezzo, Venice, and Padua, before ending at the Verona Arena for the opening ceremony.[10]
Volunteers
[edit]A total of 18,000 volunteers will be involved with both the 2026 Paralympic and Olympic Games. Applications for volunteering opened on 19 September 2024.[11] As of December 2024, almost 70,000 applications have been received.[12]
Ticketing
[edit]Tickets for the 2026 Paralympic Games start at €10 for children under 14, with more than 200,000 tickets priced at under €35, corresponding to around 89% of all available tickets. Registration for the ticketing platform opened on 4 October 2024; ticket sales will start in March 2025.[13]
Venues
[edit]
Five competition venues will be used for the 2026 Paralympic Games, in addition to non-competitive venues including three Paralympic Villages.[14]
Milano Cluster
[edit]- PalaItalia Santa Giulia, Milan – para ice hockey
- Milano Olympic & Paralympic Village – Paralympic Village
Val di Fiemme Cluster
[edit]- Lago di Tesero Cross Country Stadium, Tesero – para biathlon, para cross-country skiing
- Predazzo Olympic & Paralympic Village – Paralympic Village
Cortina Cluster
[edit]- Olimpia delle Tofane slope, Cortina d'Ampezzo – para alpine skiing
- Cortina Para Snowboard Park – para snowboard
- Stadio olimpico del ghiaccio, Cortina d'Ampezzo – wheelchair curling, closing ceremony
- Cortina Olympic & Paralympic Village – Paralympic Village
Verona
[edit]- Verona Arena – opening ceremony
Sports
[edit]The Games are expected to feature 79 events in six Winter Paralympic sports. A mixed doubles event will make its debut in wheelchair curling.[15] A total of 665 athlete quota places are available: 323 for men, 176 for women, and 166 gender-free.[16]
Para alpine skiing (30) ()- Para Nordic skiing
Para biathlon (18) ()
Para cross-country skiing (20) ()
Para ice hockey (1) ()
Para snowboard (8) ()
Wheelchair curling (2) ()
Participating National Paralympic Committees
[edit]The following list follows one NPC, Italy as a host.
Italy (50)[citation needed]
Calendar
[edit]The schedule for the 2026 Paralympics was released on 9 December 2024. Competition will begin on 4 March, two days before the opening ceremony, with the first two rounds of the wheelchair curling mixed doubles, and end on 15 March 2026.[17]
| OC | Opening ceremony | ● | Event competitions | 1 | Event finals | CC | Closing ceremony |
| March 2026 | 04 Wed |
05 Thu |
06 Fri |
07 Sat |
08 Sun |
09 Mon |
10 Tue |
11 Wed |
12 Thu |
13 Fri |
14 Sat |
15 Sun |
Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.svg){kind=logo} Ceremonies |
OC | CC | — | ||||||||||
 Para alpine skiing
|
6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 30 | |||||
 Para biathlon
|
6 | 6 | 6 | 18 | |||||||||
 Para cross-country skiing
|
6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 20 | ||||||||
 Para ice hockey
|
● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 1 | 1 | |||||
 Para snowboard
|
● | 4 | 4 | 8 | |||||||||
.svg){kind=small} Wheelchair curling
|
● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 1 | ● | ● | 1 | 2 | |
| Daily medal events | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 14 | 6 | 79 |
| Cumulative total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 22 | 28 | 40 | 47 | 50 | 59 | 73 | 79 | |
| March 2026 | 04 Wed |
05 Thu |
06 Fri |
07 Sat |
08 Sun |
09 Mon |
10 Tue |
11 Wed |
12 Thu |
13 Fri |
14 Sat |
15 Sun |
Total events |
Ceremonies
[edit]The opening ceremony is scheduled for 6 March 2026 at the Verona Arena in Verona, with production by Filmmaster Group. The closing ceremony is scheduled to take place on 15 March 2026 at the Stadio olimpico del ghiaccio in Cortina d'Ampezzo, with production by G2 Eventi – Casta Diva Group.[18]
Marketing
[edit]Emblem
[edit]On 30 March 2021, following a public vote between two candidates designed by Landor Associates, a design named "Futura" was announced as the emblem of both the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The Paralympic version is coloured with a red, blue, and green gradient to symbolise an aurora and the colours of the Paralympic agitos.[19][20][21]
Mascots
[edit]An online vote closing on 28 February 2023 was held among a list of candidates to select the mascots of the Olympics and Paralympics, with the winning candidates being inspired by stoats.[22] Their names were revealed to be Tina and Milo (derived from the names of the host cities),[23] with Milo, the brown stoat, being the Paralympic mascot. The character is portrayed as having been born without a leg, and represents ingenuity, willpower and creativity.[24]
Song
[edit]In March 2022, "Fino all'alba" (transl. Until dawn) by Arisa was unveiled as the official song for both the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.[25] The song was composed by Francesco Marrone and Giulio Gianni.[26]
Visual identity
[edit]The brand elements for both the 2026 Paralympic and Olympic Games were unveiled on 7 November 2024, drawing inspiration from gestures, which are commonly used in Italian communication. These include pictograms for the six Paralympic sports inspired by movements of athletes.[27][28] Five graphic elements named "vibes" were designed, with contemporary Italian figures selected to represent them on social media: musician Dario Faini (creativity), athlete Bebe Vio (energy), comedian Federico Basso (imagination), chef Davide Oldani (passion), and dancer Nicoletta Manni (style).[27]
Corporate sponsorship
[edit]| Sponsors of the 2026 Paralympic Games[29] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Worldwide partners | ||
| Premium partners | ||
| Partners | ||
Sponsors
| ||
| Supporters | ||
Hospitality provider
|
Broadcasting
[edit]As with previous Games, Olympic Broadcasting Services will produce the feed used by broadcasters in their territories.[30] Up to 300 hours of live coverage will be provided to media rights holders, similar to what was done with the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.[31] In Canada, the Paralympics will be broadcast by CBC/Radio-Canada platforms.[32]
See also
[edit]- 2026 Winter Olympics
- 1960 Summer Paralympics, held in Rome
- 2006 Winter Paralympics, held in Turin
References
[edit]- ^ Dolci, Stefano (1 October 2018). "Olimpiadi invernali 2026, il Coni ha deciso: ufficiale la candidatura di Milano e Cortina" (in Italian). Eurosport. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ "Milano Cortina 2026 si presenta al mondo. Malagò: candidatura all'insegna di tradizione e innovazione" (in Italian). Italian National Olympic Committee. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ "Winter Olympics: Italy's Milan-Cortina bid chosen as host for the 2026 Games". BBC News. 24 June 2019.
- ^ Dunbar, Graham; Matar, Daniella (24 June 2019). "Italy's Milan-Cortina wins vote to host 2026 Winter Olympics". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 25 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
- ^ "Milano Cortina awarded the Olympic Games 2026". Italian National Olympic Committee. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ "Paralympic flag handed over to Milan-Cortina 2026". Xinhua News Agency. 13 March 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "InPics: 2022 Paralympic Winter Games closed in Beijing". Xinhua News Agency. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ Frola, Federica (14 March 2022). "La bandiera paralimpica è arrivata in Italia in vista dei Giochi di Milano-Cortina 2026" (in Italian). Sky Sport. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ "Milano Cortina 2026. I Giochi invernali spiegati a bambine e bambini, a tre anni dalle Paralimpiadi nasce "Generazione sport"" (in Italian). Comune di Milano. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ "Milano Cortina 2026: Route of the Paralympic Torch Relay unveiled". International Paralympic Committee. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "Milano Cortina 2026 opens volunteer applications for the Paralympic Winter Games". International Paralympic Committee. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "Milano Cortina 2026 and LA28: next Olympic Games take centre stage during IOC EB meeting". International Olympic Committee. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Milano Cortina 2026: Ticket prices revealed for the Paralympic Winter Games". International Paralympic Committee. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ Sustainability, Impact and Legacy Report 2023: The Strategy and Planning Phases (PDF) (Report). Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026. November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "IPC Governing Board take key decisions for future Paralympic Games".
- ^ "Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic medal programme and athlete quotas confirmed". International Paralympic Committee. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "Milano Cortina 2026 competition schedules revealed". Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Ceremonies and Torch Relay for 2026 are assigned". International Paralympic Committee. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "Milano Cortina 2026, i nuovi simboli. E' 'Futura' il logo scelto, bianco per le olimpiadi, colorato per le paralimpiadi – Sport". Agenzia ANSA (in Italian). 30 March 2021. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ "Milan Cortina 2026 unveil "Futura" design as Winter Olympic and Paralympic logo". www.insidethegames.biz. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "'Futura' is the official emblem of Milano Cortina 2026". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "Milano-Cortina: dalla Calabria la mascotte delle Olimpiadi". Agenzia ANSA (in Italian). 1 March 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Di Grazia, Ida (7 February 2024). "Sanremo 2024, diretta seconda serata Incursione del signor Ruggero di Viva Rai2. I cantanti diventano presentatori. Giorgia co-conduttrice". Leggo (in Italian). Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "The mascots of Milano Cortina 2026". olympics.com. IOC. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ Goh, ZK (13 May 2023). "Milano Cortina 2026: Top things to know about next Olympic Winter Games". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ Basso, Andrea (6 March 2022). "Quello cantato da Arisa o da Malika? Ecco qual è l'inno di Milano Cortina 2026" (in Italian). Radio Italia Solo Musica Italiana. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Milano Cortina 2026 unveils Look of the Games and pictograms". International Paralympic Committee. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ Cibic, Smilian (11 November 2024). "Human gestures shape Milano Cortina 2026's Winter Olympic look". Wallpaper. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "Partners". Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ "OBS Hosts the World Broadcaster Meeting in Cortina d'Ampezzo". Olympic Broadcasting Services. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "IPC launches RFI for European media rights for Milano Cortina 2026". International Paralympic Committee. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "CBC/Radio-Canada and CPC partner to broadcast 2024 and 2026 Paralympic Games". Canadian Paralympic Committee. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2024.