Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics Primer: What, Who, And How To Watch

Olympic flame may have been extinguished last month, but the winter sports magic in Italy is far from over. Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games officially kicked off on Friday with a spectacular opening ceremony at the historic Verona Arena, and the high-stakes action on the snow and ice is already underway.

Whether you are a hardcore parasports fan or just tuning in for the weekend highlights, here at Read 1hour, we have put together your ultimate primer for the 2026 Winter Paralympics. Here is everything you need to know about what is happening, who to watch, and exactly where to catch the live streams.

This year’s Games are particularly special, marking the 50th anniversary of the very first Winter Paralympics held in Sweden in 1976. The 2026 edition is officially the largest in history.

• Scale: Over 600 elite athletes from 55 different nations have descended upon Italy.
• Dates: The Games run from March 6 through March 15, 2026.
• Te Sports: Athletes are competing in a record 79 medal events across six thrilling disciplines: Para Alpine Skiing, Para Biathlon, Para Cross-Country Skiing, Para Ice Hockey (Sled Hockey), Para Snowboard, and Wheelchair Curling.
• New Additions: For the first time ever, mixed doubles in wheelchair curling has been added to the medal roster.

With an unprecedented number of athletes competing, several global superstars and heated rivalries are set to dominate the headlines over the next ten days.

• Oksana Masters (USA): An absolute legend in both summer and winter events, Masters is back on the snow. Keep a close eye on her in the Para Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing events as she looks to add to her massive gold medal collection.
• Giacomo Bertagnolli (Italy): The host nation's biggest hope. Bertagnolli, who already boasts four Paralympic golds, will be charging down the slopes in the Para Alpine Skiing events. Expect the home crowds to be deafening when he races.
• Aigner Siblings (Austria): This remarkable family practically owned the Alpine Skiing podium in Beijing 2022, and Veronika, Barbara, and Johannes Aigner are back to defend their titles on Italian snow.
• USA vs. Canada in Para Ice Hockey: This is one of the most brutal and entertaining rivalries in all of sports. The two North American powerhouses are on a collision course for the gold medal match on March 15.

Catching the action has never been easier, with massive global broadcast networks carrying the live events and highlights.

• In India: For our local readers, you can stream the daily highlights, event replays, and full coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games directly on JioHotstar.
• In the USA: Peacock remains the primary streaming hub for all live Paralympic events, with televised coverage spread across NBC, USA Network, and CNBC.
• In the UK: Channel 4 is broadcasting over 60 hours of live sports from the Italian Dolomites, available on TV and via Channel 4 Streaming, with extra action on their YouTube channel.
• Globally: Fans across Europe can access live and free streaming via Eurovision Sport, while the official Olympics.com website provides real-time results and highlight packages for international viewers.

With the medals already starting to flow, the next week promises jaw-dropping athletic feats and incredible emotional triumphs.