The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics bring six sports to northern Italy from March 6th–15th, and you don’t need to be a Para sport expert to enjoy them. Some are all about speed, others reward strategy and precision, and a few might be completely new to you. If you’re planning to attend, here are the sports to know and where you can see them.
Para Alpine Skiing
- Cortina d’Ampezzo | Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre
Speed is the big attraction here. Athletes compete in events including downhill, super-G, giant slalom and slalom, with standing skiers, sit-skiers and visually impaired athletes competing in different classifications. The Dolomites setting makes this one of the most spectacular events to watch in person.
See it if: You enjoy speed-focused sports and mountain scenery.
Para Ice Hockey
- Milan | Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Think ice hockey played on sledges, with plenty of speed, contact and competitive energy. Players use two short sticks to move across the ice and control the puck, making it one of the most immediately exciting sports for first-time Paralympic spectators.
See it if: You love fast-paced team sports.
Wheelchair Curling
- Cortina d’Ampezzo | Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium
Wheelchair curling is all about accuracy and strategy. Unlike Olympic curling, there is no sweeping, so each stone has to be delivered with precision from the start. Matches can come down to a single shot, making it surprisingly tense once you understand what each team is trying to do.
See it if: You enjoy strategy and tight finishes.
Para Snowboard
- Cortina d’Ampezzo | Cortina Para Snowboard Park
Para snowboard brings speed and head-to-head competition to the mountains. Snowboard cross is particularly exciting to watch, as athletes racing through turns and course features, while banked slalom puts the focus on speed against the clock.
See it if: You want fast, unpredictable racing.
Para Biathlon
- Val di Fiemme | Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium
One moment athletes are pushing themselves through a cross-country skiing course, and the next they have to slow everything down and accurately hit targets. That combination of endurance and precision means the lead can change quickly.
One of the sport’s most interesting features is the acoustic aiming system used by visually impaired athletes, which uses sound to help competitors aim at the target.
See it if: You want a sport that combines endurance with precision.
Para Cross-Country Skiing
- Val di Fiemme | Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium
Para cross-country skiing is one of the Games’ biggest endurance tests. Athletes compete across different distances using standing skis or sit-skis, while visually impaired competitors can race alongside guides.
The hills and Alpine surroundings of Val di Fiemme also make this one worth seeing outdoors.
See it if: You enjoy endurance racing and mountain settings.
