The 2026 Winter Paralympics, hosted in Milano Cortina, Italy, are scheduled from March 6 to 15, 2026, marking a significant 50th-anniversary event for the Paralympic Winter Games. For Australian audiences, the Nine Network has secured the exclusive broadcast rights, promising extensive live and on-demand coverage across its platforms, including Channel 9, 9Gem, 9Now, and Stan Sport. This upcoming event follows the Beijing 2022 Games, where Australia secured a single bronze medal, and aims to build on the growing mainstream attention for Paralympic sports.
A New Era of Australian Broadcasting and Viewership
The exclusive broadcast rights for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games have been secured by the Nine Network, a landmark deal that signals a significant shift in the landscape of Australian para-sport coverage. As reported by TV Tonight, this agreement ensures that Australian viewers will have unprecedented access to the Games. Coverage is planned across multiple platforms, including free-to-air channels Channel 9 and 9Gem, the broadcast video on demand (BVOD) service 9Now, and the subscription platform Stan Sport. This multi-platform approach is designed to allow audiences to watch live events, catch up on demand, and follow the stories of the athletes “whenever and wherever,” according to Nine CEO Matt Stanton.
This deal builds on the momentum from Nine’s record-breaking coverage of the Paris 2024 Paralympics, which garnered more than 10 million viewers, indicating a surging interest in Paralympic sport within Australia. The investment represents a crucial step forward from past broadcasts, promising the widest Australian coverage of any Winter Paralympics to date. For the first time, every event will be streamed live on 9Now, and Paralympics Australia will have a dedicated social media producer on the ground to provide real-time updates and connect athletes with a growing fanbase. This comprehensive strategy not only makes the Games more accessible but also elevates the profiles of the athletes, giving them a share of the spotlight that has historically been smaller than that of their Olympic counterparts.
The analytical perspective on this broadcast deal focuses on its potential to normalize and popularize para-sport. By dedicating significant airtime and platform diversity to the Games, Nine is investing in the narrative power of the athletes. The network plans to leverage its full media ecosystem, including talk radio stations and major newspapers like The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, to create a holistic and immersive viewer experience. This level of integrated coverage is critical for building sustained audience engagement and transforming the perception of the Paralympic Games from a niche event into a mainstream sporting spectacle.
Venues, Disciplines, and the Italian Alps Backdrop
The Milano Cortina 2026 Games will unfold across the stunning landscapes of northern Italy, a return to the country that hosted the Winter Paralympics in Torino in 2006. The unique multi-city format is a deliberate choice, designed to showcase different regions and create a diverse experience for both athletes and spectators. The Games will feature approximately 665 athletes competing in 79 medal events across six core winter sports.
The sports on the 2026 program include:
Para alpine skiing
Para biathlon
Para cross-country skiing
Para ice hockey
Para snowboard
Wheelchair curling
The events will be distributed across several key venue clusters. Cortina d’Ampezzo, nestled in the Dolomites, will be a hub for mountain sports, hosting Para alpine skiing and Para snowboard events. The Val di Fiemme will host the Nordic disciplines of Para biathlon and Para cross-country skiing at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium. Meanwhile, the vibrant city of Milan will be the centre for ice sports, with Para ice hockey and wheelchair curling competitions.
A particularly poignant element of the Games will be the ceremonies. As noted in reports, the Opening Ceremony on March 6, 2026, will take place in the historic Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheater that promises a spectacular and memorable start to the competition. The Closing Ceremony will be held on March 15 at the Cortina Olympic Ice Stadium, bringing the Games to a close in a venue rich with winter sports history. This geographical spread, while logistically challenging, allows for the use of world-class existing venues, aligning with the event’s sustainability goals while providing a visually dramatic setting for the pinnacle of winter para-sport.
Australian Athletes: Veterans, Debutants, and Medal Hopes
Australia is set to send a dynamic team to Milano Cortina, featuring a compelling mix of seasoned veterans and exciting debutants across a record four sports. Building on the performance at the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics, where snowboarder Ben Tudhope captured the nation’s only medal with a bronze in the snowboard cross, the 2026 team carries significant potential. Tudhope, who was the flag bearer at the Closing Ceremony in Beijing, is expected to be a leading contender once again in the Men’s Banked Slalom and Snowboard Cross events.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has closely followed the development of the team, which includes several history-making athletes. Amanda Reid will become Australia’s first Indigenous Winter Paralympian, a landmark moment for Australian sport. Reid, a gold medallist in Para-cycling from the Summer Games, joins Lauren Parker as one of two dual Summer-Winter Paralympians on the team, showcasing incredible versatility and athleticism. The team will also feature its youngest-ever female Winter Paralympian, 16-year-old Para-alpine skier Liana France, and its most experienced, Michael Milton, who is making a record-breaking comeback to the Games.
A significant development for the Australian team is its return to Para-Nordic sports (biathlon and cross-country skiing) for the first time in two decades. This expansion into more disciplines reflects a growing depth in Australia’s winter para-sport programs. According to Paralympics Australia, this growth is supported by pathway programs and federal government funding, which are critical for identifying and developing talent in a country with limited natural winter sport infrastructure. The team, captained by snowboarder Sean Pollard, represents a new generation of athletes poised to make their mark.
Historical Context and Future Ambitions
Australia’s participation in the Winter Paralympics dates back to the inaugural Games in 1976, and the nation has a proud history of “punching above its weight,” having won 34 medals in total. The performance at the Beijing 2022 Games, with a team of eight para-athletes, resulted in a single bronze medal, tying Australia for 17th in the overall standings. While a modest result, it highlighted the fierce competitiveness of the global field and the immense dedication required to reach the podium. The challenges faced during the lead-up to Beijing, including significant disruptions due to COVID-19 protocols, underscored the resilience of the athletes.
Looking ahead to Milano Cortina 2026, the ambition is clear: to build on past successes and leverage the increased media exposure to inspire a new generation of para-athletes. The Guardian’s future coverage will likely track Australia’s medal prospects closely, with a focus on athletes like Tudhope and the newly expanded Para-Nordic team. The growth of the team and its expansion into more sports is a direct result of strategic investment and development aimed at long-term success.
The comprehensive broadcast deal with Nine is a critical component of this future ambition. By bringing the stories of Paralympic athletes into millions of Australian homes with unprecedented depth and quality, the network and Paralympics Australia are aiming for a cultural shift. The goal is to move beyond celebrating these athletes once every four years to creating a sustained and engaged following. As Paralympics Australia has noted, the investment in broadcasting and storytelling is vital for giving winter athletes the same spotlight as their summer counterparts, fostering greater understanding, and ultimately, building a more inclusive sporting landscape in Australia.
FAQ
When are the 2026 Winter Paralympics?
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics will take place from March 6 to March 15, 2026. The Games will feature 10 days of competition across northern Italy.
How can I watch the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Australia?
The Nine Network is the exclusive Australian broadcaster for the Games. Viewers can watch live and on-demand coverage across Channel 9, 9Gem, 9Now, and the subscription service Stan Sport.
What sports will the Australian team compete in?
The Australian team will compete in a record four sports: Para-alpine skiing, Para-snowboard, Para-biathlon, and Para-cross-country skiing. This marks Australia’s return to the Para-Nordic disciplines for the first time in 20 years.
What is your take on the expanded broadcast coverage and its potential impact on the perception of para-sport in Australia? Sound off in the comments below.
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