Winter Paralympics 2026 in Milan: Dates, Sports, Venues and What to See in the City

Milan is not just hosting a hockey arena for the 2026 Winter Paralympics — it is one of the three beating hearts of an event that will bring 600+ athletes from around the world to northern Italy this March. Whether you are already in the city or planning a trip specifically for the Games, here is everything you need to know.

The Big Picture: What Are the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics?

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games run from 6 to 15 March 2026, ten days of elite competition across snow, ice and some of the most dramatic Alpine scenery in Europe. More than 600 athletes from roughly 50 countries will compete in 79 medal events — 39 men’s, 35 women’s and 5 mixed — spread across six sports: Paralympic Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, Para Ice Hockey, Para Snowboard and Wheelchair Curling.

This edition carries extra symbolic weight: 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the first-ever Winter Paralympics, held in 1976 in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, and the 20th anniversary of Torino 2006, the last time Italy hosted the Games. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) — founded in 1989 and headquartered in Bonn, Germany — considers this edition a strong candidate for the best Winter Paralympics ever staged.

Milan’s Role: Para Ice Hockey and the City Cluster

Not every sport takes place on a mountain. Milan anchors its own urban cluster, with Para Ice Hockey — the most physical, fast-paced discipline on the entire Paralympic programme — held at the Milano Santagiulia Hockey Arena.

Para Ice Hockey is played on regulation ice with specially designed sledges instead of skates, and athletes use two sticks for both propulsion and puck control. If you have never watched a game, prepare to be surprised: the speed and aggression rival anything you would see in the NHL.

Why English-Speaking Fans Should Pay Attention

The United States is the dominant force in Paralympic ice hockey, having won gold at every Winter Games from 1994 through 2018 before losing the title to Canada at Beijing 2022. That rivalry between Team USA and Canada makes every game between them unmissable. 

Great Britain has been building its Para ice hockey programme steadily, while Australia and other English-speaking nations field athletes across the alpine and snow disciplines in Cortina.

For alpine skiing fans, Great Britain and the USA have historically produced medal contenders in visually impaired and sitting categories — check the official IPC start lists closer to competition day for confirmed names and events.

The Three Clusters: Milan, Cortina and Val di Fiemme

The Games are spread across three distinct areas, each with its own personality:

• Milan (city cluster) — Para Ice Hockey at Milano Santagiulia Hockey Arena
• Cortina d’Ampezzo (mountain cluster) — Paralympic Alpine Skiing, Para Snowboard, Wheelchair Curling
• Val di Fiemme (mountain cluster) — Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing at Predazzo

Read also: How to Get from Milan to Cortina d’Ampezzo: The Complete 2026 Guide

The Opening Ceremony takes place at the Verona Olympic Arena on 6 March, while the Closing Ceremony is held at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium on 15 March. Paralympic Villages in Milan, Cortina and Predazzo open on 28 February and close on 15 March.

What the Agitos Symbol Means

You will see the Paralympic symbol everywhere during the Games — three curved elements in red, blue and green.

It is called the Agitos, from the Latin agito (“I move”), and represents the union of mind, body and spirit.

The three colours were chosen because they appear in the flags of almost every nation on earth — a quietly powerful design choice for a movement built on inclusion.

Practical Tips for Watching Para Ice Hockey in Milan

Get tickets early (and officially). Around 89% of all tickets for Milano Cortina 2026 are priced at €35 or under, making this one of the most accessible major sporting events in Europe. Children under 14 have entry from €10. All tickets must be purchased through the official portal at tickets.milanocortina2026.org. Keep in mind that ticketing is 100% digital, so you will need to download the official Tickets MilanoCortina2026 app to access, transfer, or safely resell your seats.

Plan your route. The Milano Santagiulia Hockey Arena is in the south-east of the city, easily reachable by Metro Line 3 (yellow line) toward Rogoredo. From Centrale station, it is under 15 minutes by metro.

Combine with the city. A game night pairs perfectly with dinner in the nearby Porta Romana or Navigli neighbourhoods — both a short taxi or tram ride from the arena. If you are visiting from abroad, Milan’s hotel offer during early March is still reasonably priced compared to the Olympic season peaks.

Follow the schedule. The Para Ice Hockey group stage runs across the first week, with medal rounds in the final days. Semifinals and the gold medal game will be the most sought-after tickets — book those first.

Looking for more things to do in Milan? Download the GetYourGuide app and get 5% off any activity in the city or worldwide with the promo code BRASILNAITALIANET5. Valid for new customers only (read how it works here).

A Historic Moment Worth Witnessing

Events of this scale — combining elite Paralympic sport, an iconic Italian setting, and the emotional weight of 50 years of history — do not come around often. Whether you are a sport enthusiast, a casual visitor, or simply curious about what happens when some of the most determined athletes on the planet compete on home Italian ice, the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics are worth your attention.