Channel 4 has obtained the UK broadcast rights for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, continuing a long-standing commitment to the Paralympics that began with London 2012, now marking its eighth consecutive.
The UK broadcaster is set to provide comprehensive free-to-air and streaming coverage on its television channels and on-demand services. Whisper will handle the production. The broadcasts will be delivered from the venue in Italy and from Channel 4's accessible facility in Cardiff, supported by teams in Leeds and London for social media and streaming content.
Andrea Varnier, CEO of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, emphasized Channel 4's dedication since London 2012 made them a natural partner. She promised UK viewers “a unique experience” from March 6–15, 2026, showcasing the athletes' “determination and resilience” from the Dolomites.
Pete Andrews, head of sport at Channel 4, stated the broadcaster was “super excited” to bring Winter Paralympics action “from the slopes and rinks of Italy to the living rooms, lap-tops and smart phones of the British public,” noting Whisper Cymru’s production role.
Milano Cortina 2026 anticipates participation from approximately 665 athletes from around 50 nations, competing for 79 medals across six sports. These include Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard, and wheelchair curling. The Games also commemorate the 50th anniversary of the inaugural Paralympic Winter Games in Örnsköldsvik in 1976, and the 20th anniversary of Torino 2006, underscoring its significance to the Paralympic movement.
Channel 4 frames this agreement as an extension of its established Paralympic strategy, which has previously featured groundbreaking coverage, such as the all-disabled presenting team at Beijing 2022, and impactful marketing campaigns like “Meet the Superhumans” and “We’re the Superhumans”. The broadcaster referenced 2024 research indicating that 94% of viewers believed its Paris 2024 Paralympic coverage positively shaped their perceptions of disabled individuals.