Key Details of the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
Event Overview
- Location: Milan, Italy
- Dates: March 7–15, 2026
- Governing Body: International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
- Sport: Para Ice Hockey (formerly sledge hockey)
Tournament Structure
The 2026 Paralympic Winter Games follow a preliminary-round and elimination format.
- Group Stage:
- Eight teams are split into two groups of four.
- Each team plays three games within its group.
- Advancement:
- The top two teams in each group advance to the semifinals.
- 1st in Group A vs. 2nd in Group B
- 1st in Group B vs. 2nd in Group A
- Semifinal winners advance to the gold medal game
- Semifinal losers play in the bronze medal game
- Teams finishing 3rd and 4th in their groups in the preliminary round participate in placement playoffs to determine 5th through 8th place.
Game Rules
- All games are played on an international-sized ice surface (200 ft x 100 ft)
- Three 15-minute periods with stop-time rules apply.
- Teams include a maximum of 15 players, including two goaltenders.
Equipment
- Players use double-blade sleds to glide and allow the puck to pass beneath.
- Two sticks per player: spike-end for propulsion and blade-end for passing/shooting.
- Goaltenders may use an additional pick, a second stick with a blade, or a trapper glove with teeth.
Canada at the Paralympic Winter Games
- 1994 (Lillehammer, NOR) – bronze medal
- 1998 (Nagano, JPN) – silver medal
- 2002 (Salt Lake City, UT) – 4th place
- 2006 (Turin, ITA) – gold medal
- 2010 (Vancouver, BC) – 4th place
- 2014 (Sochi, RUS) – bronze medal
- 2018 (PyeongChang, KOR) – silver medal
- 2022 (Beijing, CHN) – silver medal
HOCKEY CANADA
