By The 2026 Winter Paralympics have officially begun — and they’re shaping up to be one of the most exciting editions in history. Held in northern Italy from March 6–15, the Milan Cortina Paralympic Games 2026 bring together over 660 of the world’s best para athletes competing across six sports. TrendingUpdatesToday.com breaks down everything you need to know before you tune in.
How to Watch the 2026 Winter Paralympics
Wondering how to watch the 2026 Winter Paralympics? Here’s your quick guide:
| Platform | What’s Covered |
| NBC | Opening/closing ceremonies + primetime highlights |
| Peacock | Every event live + full replays + multiview |
| USA Network | Weekday cable coverage |
| CNBC | Weekend cable coverage |
NBC is delivering a record eight hours of Winter Paralympics coverage on TV, including primetime windows on both Saturdays (March 7 and March 14). Peacock streams every sport live — the most comprehensive coverage the network has ever offered for a Paralympic Games 2026 event.
The opening ceremony kicked off on March 6 at the ancient Arena di Verona — the same venue where the Winter Olympics officially closed last month. The closing ceremony wraps up in Cortina d’Ampezzo on March 15.
2026 Winter Paralympics Schedule and Sports
The 2026 Winter Paralympics feature 79 medal events — a record — spread across six sports:
- Para Alpine Skiing
- Para Biathlon
- Para Cross-Country Skiing
- Para Ice Hockey (Sled Hockey)
- Para Snowboard
- Wheelchair Curling (including mixed doubles, making its Paralympic debut)
Competitions are spread across Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and Val di Fiemme, giving the Milan Cortina Paralympics a truly wide-reaching stage.
2026 Winter Paralympics Team USA Athletes to Watch
The 2026 Winter Paralympics Team USA roster includes 68 athletes — the second-largest contingent in the Games, behind China.
Oksana Masters — History in the Making
Masters is the most decorated U.S. Paralympian ever. At Beijing 2022, she became the first American to win seven medals in a single Winter Paralympics. Now, she’s chasing her 20th career Paralympic medal, despite battling injuries and a recent concussion. Her fiancé, Aaron Pike, a nine-time world medalist in para biathlon, is competing at his eighth Winter Paralympics in pursuit of his first Paralympic medal.
U.S. Sled Hockey — Going for Five Straight Golds
The Paralympic sled hockey storyline is unmissable. Team USA Paralympics sled hockey is chasing a record fifth consecutive gold medal — and sixth overall. Canada, which won the World Para Ice Hockey Championship in 2024 (before the U.S. reclaimed it in 2025), is the main rival. The U.S. roster is loaded, led by captain Josh Pauls, all-time leading scorer Declan Farmer, and goaltender Jen Lee.
Other Americans to Follow
- Brenna Huckaby — Snowboarder and four-time medalist defending her 2022 gold
- Laurie Stephens — Seven-time Alpine skiing medalist carrying the U.S. flag at the opening ceremony
- Sydney Peterson — A rising Alpine skier who is also pursuing her PhD in genetics
- Meg Gustafson & Audrey Crowley — Teenage Alpine skiers making their Paralympic debut
What Makes the 2026 Winter Paralympics Unique
Milan Cortina marks the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics. It’s only the third time Italy has hosted — following Rome in 1960 (the very first Summer Paralympics) and Turin in 2006.
A few things set this year’s para athletes Italy showcase apart:
- Wheelchair curling mixed doubles makes its Paralympic debut, with American duo Steve Emt and Laura Dwyer already winning early matches.
- Geopolitical tensions are high. Iran withdrew its sole athlete due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Russia and Belarus are competing under their own flags for the first time since 2014, prompting a boycott of the opening ceremony by several European nations and the UK.
- A quirky early story: two curling stones were stolen from the Cortina venue before competition began.
Why the 2026 Winter Paralympics Deserve Your Attention
As snowboarder Brenna Huckaby put it simply: “If you take a minute to learn about para sport, you will be a para sport fan.”
The 2026 Winter Paralympics are more than an extension of the Olympics — they’re a distinct, powerful competition. Para athletes use specialized equipment, race on different courses, and follow unique rules. Paralympic sled hockey players, for example, use two sticks instead of one and navigate the ice on specialized sleds, creating a faster, more physical game.
Visibility matters. More viewers mean more broadcasting demand. More broadcasting means the Milan Cortina Paralympics movement — and para sport as a whole — keeps growing.
FAQs: 2026 Winter Paralympics
1. When are the 2026 Winter Paralympics? The 2026 Winter Paralympics run from March 6–15, 2026, in northern Italy.
2. Where are the 2026 Winter Paralympics being held? Events are spread across Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and Val di Fiemme — the same venues used for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
3. How many Team USA athletes are competing? The 2026 Winter Paralympics Team USA includes 68 athletes and 4 guides.
4. How can I watch the Paralympic Games 2026 live? You can watch the 2026 Winter Paralympics live on Peacock (all events), NBC (primetime), USA Network (weekday cable), and CNBC (weekend cable).
5. Is the U.S. sled hockey team favored to win gold? Yes. The U.S. Paralympic sled hockey team is the reigning four-time gold medalist and is favored again, though Canada will push hard for the title.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Winter Paralympics are a celebration of elite athleticism, resilience, and global competition at its finest. From Oksana Masters chasing history to the U.S. sled hockey team’s dynasty bid, there’s no shortage of compelling stories across every Paralympic sports event on the schedule. For ongoing coverage and updates on the Milan Cortina Paralympics and beyond, keep checking TrendingUpdatesToday.com.
Sources
- NPR — 2026 Winter Paralympics: What, Who and How to Watch
- International Paralympic Committee — Milano Cortina 2026 Official Site
- U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee — 2026 U.S. Paralympic Team Announcement
- NBC Olympics — How to Watch Coverage Schedule
- NPR — The History of the Paralympics