Get Ready for the Paralympics Winter Games
The countdown is on and the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games are almost upon us!
The games will bring together over 600 elite Para athletes from around 50 nations to compete for medals across an array of exciting winter sports. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics – a powerful reminder of how far adaptive sports has come and the growing impact it has for visibility, inclusion and athletic excellence.
Whether you’re a lifelong winter sports fan or completely new to it all, here’s everything you need to know and why you don’t want to miss a moment.
Where it’s all happening?
The Winter Games will take place in Italy, across the stunning locations of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, as part of Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games.
Think dramatic mountain backdrops, world class slopes and a buzzing atmosphere as athletes from around the globe come together to compete at the very highest level. The games will run from the 6th – 15th March, and you can expect unforgettable moments from day one!
What sports will you see?
You don’t need to know the rules inside out to enjoy watching these events – here are some of the highlights you can look forward to.
Para Alpine Skiing
Fast, fearless and thrilling to watch! Athletes race down steep mountain courses, weaving through gates at incredible speeds – sometimes topping 60mph! The winners are often decided by fractions of a second.
Para Nordic Skiing
This sport tests endurance and precision. Some events focus on long distance cross country skiing, while biathlon adds a shooting element. This means the athletes must calm their breathing after intense exertion to hit their targets.
Para Ice Hockey
High-energy and physical, this is always a crowd favourite. Players compete in specially designed sledges, gliding across the ice in fast paced, full-contact matches.
Para Snowboard
Expect jumps, sharp turns and dramatic head-to-head races. It’s explosive, exciting and incredibly impressive to watch.
Wheelchair Curling
Strategy meets precision as mixed teams play on the ice, including the newly added mixed doubles event.
There really is no complicated knowledge required to enjoy the Paralympic Winter Games – just pick an event, tune in and enjoy the spectacle.
More than medals
The Paralympic Winter Games are about so much more than podium finishes and medals. Behind every race, every participant, is a story. You will see athletes who have returned to sports after life-changing injuries, spent years balancing training with family life, overcome setbacks and disappointment to reach the world stage, and who have ultimately become role models in their communities.
Reaching the Games represents years of determination and belief. The Paralympics plays a huge role in changing perceptions around disability, showing millions of views around the world what’s possible with the right support, access and opportunity.
How to get involved
Make this your year to watch! You don’t need to travel to Italy to feel part of the action. Channel 4 will showcase an on-screen team of world-class presenters and Para athletes for the Winter Games, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive representation. You can also stream coverage of the Games. All content will be subtitled, and live broadcast coverage will have live audio description from 10.30am each day. Daily highlights will also feature British Sign Language translation.
Some of GB’s most decorated Paralympic athletes will be reporting live from different events in the Cortina. These include Dame Sarah Storey, Alice Tai, Sean Rose and Jad Etherington.
Here are a few simple ways you can join in:
- Pick a sport to follow – start with one event that catches your interest. Maybe the fast-paced excitement of the Para Ice Hockey, or the adrenaline of Para Snowboard!
- Watch the Opening Ceremony – start of strong as this is always a highlight! It sets the tone for the Games and celebrated the athletes in spectacular style.
- Share the moment – watch with friends and share inspiring moments on social media.
- Get inspired – many viewers find the Games spark a new interest. Whether it’s trying a winter activity, volunteering or simply seeing challenges in a new light.
Our top reasons to tune in
Where do we start… the breathtaking Italian mountain scenery? The speed and skill on display? The inspiring journeys of courage and strength?
The Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games are more than sport and competition. They are a celebration of athletic excellence, accessibility and community. As we approach these Games, the stories of courage, determination and joy from every athlete remind us why adaptive sport continues to inspire millions.
For the disability community – and for all of us who believe in equal opportunity and achievement – these Games are a spotlight on possibility.
We’ll be watching. Will you?
