Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 announced on November 18th that the media rights for Italy for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games have been exclusively awarded to Rai. The agreement will provide the Italian public with multi-channel coverage, accessible on free-to-air television, of the event taking place from March 6 to 15, 2026, illuminating the cities and mountains of Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino Alto-Adige. This represents the most significant global sporting event for people with disabilities.
A Return to the Origins
Italy, which hosted the first Paralympic Games in 1960 in Rome, is preparing for a moment that will further advance the global Paralympic Movement. Rai will be the storyteller, bringing to Italian homes the athletic and human journey involving up to 665 athletes competing in 79 medal events, both through free-to-air broadcasts and RaiPlay, the public broadcaster’s digital platform.
Media Coverage and Regional Engagement
The coverage will take place on Rai’s main channels and across all the public broadcaster’s platforms, including live content, in-depth reports, and original productions. The goal is to amplify the voices of the athletes and the regions, offering a narrative that combines the power of sport with the beauty of the locations hosting the Games: Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Verona, and the Val di Fiemme. This narrative aims to convey to the world the dynamic and vibrant energy of contemporary Italy.
Giampaolo Rossi’s Words
“For the Public Service – Giampaolo Rossi, CEO of Rai – sport is much more than a grand spectacle: it is a universal language that unites, educates, and makes our society more open and inclusive. Telling the story of the Paralympic Games means highlighting extraordinary stories of courage and talent, offering all citizens the opportunity to recognize the most authentic values of sport. Rai is proud to contribute its voice, technology, and cultural mission to celebrate an event that perfectly embodies the essence of Public Service.”
Andrea Varnier’s Comment
For Andrea Varnier, CEO of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, “Italy has a unique bond with the Paralympic Movement: in 1960, Rome hosted the first Paralympic Games, the event that sparked everything we see today. With Milano Cortina 2026, this bond is renewed and strengthened. We are happy that Rai will bring these stories into the homes of Italians: the Games are not just about competition but an endless source of inspiration, resilience, and national pride.”
Promotion of an Inclusive Sports Culture
In addition to sports coverage, Rai will promote a culture of sport that is increasingly inclusive and aware, through dedicated programs that highlight the role of the Paralympic Movement and its social relevance.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Winter Paralympics and will feature six sports: Para Alpine Skiing, Para Biathlon, Para Cross-Country Skiing, Para Ice Hockey, Para Snowboarding, and Wheelchair Curling. The Opening Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will be held on March 6, 2026, at the Verona di Arena, while the Closing Ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Olympic Ice Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo.