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The Winter Paralympics showcase what is possible when accessibility, innovation and elite sport come together. For those interested in inclusive travel, the Games also demonstrate how thoughtful design and infrastructure can support athletes, spectators and visitors of all abilities.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games will take place from 6 to 15 March 2026 across northern Italy, marking the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics and bringing together up to 665 athletes from around 50 nations.
A Powerful Beginning in Stoke Mandeville
The journey to Italy began in the UK. On 24 February, the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Flame was lit at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the spiritual birthplace of the Paralympic Movement.
The Flame was lit by British Paralympic medallist Millie Knight and Italian Para ice hockey player Andrea Macrì, in a ceremony hosted by Sarah Storey. The location is deeply symbolic. It was here that Ludwig Guttmann staged the first Stoke Mandeville Games in 1948, planting the seeds of today’s global Paralympic Movement.
From Buckinghamshire, the Flame began its 11 day journey to Italy, culminating at the Opening Ceremony on 6 March at the historic Arena di Verona, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site to host a Paralympic Opening Ceremony.
A Celebration Across Italy
Flame Festivals and relay events are taking place across cities including Milan, Turin, Venice and Cortina d’Ampezzo, turning the Torch Relay into a nationwide celebration of inclusion and participation. On 3 March, multiple ceremonial flames will unite in Cortina before travelling to Verona for the official start of the Games.
This journey reinforces the Paralympic message: accessibility and belonging are collective responsibilities.
Inclusive Sport on a Global Stage
Athletes will compete across six sports:
- Para alpine skiing
- Para biathlon
- Para cross-country skiing
- Para ice hockey
- Para snowboard
- Wheelchair curling
The Games highlight how adaptive sport operates at the highest level, supported by accessible venues, transport and event planning.
Why This Matters for Accessible Travel
Major events like the Winter Paralympics often accelerate improvements in step-free access, public transport, wayfinding and inclusive accommodation. These upgrades do not disappear after the closing ceremony. They shape destinations for years to come.
For travellers with disabilities, this investment builds confidence and demonstrates that complex environments, from mountain resorts to historic cities, can be made accessible.
The story of the Flame, travelling from Stoke Mandeville to Verona, is a reminder that inclusion has always been at the heart of the Paralympic Movement. It is also a reminder that accessibility in sport and accessibility in travel share the same goal: opening up the world so everyone can take part.
