2026 Milan Cortina Paralympics Opening Ceremony: Where to Watch with Ade Adepitan, Anastasia Bucsis and International Commentators

The 2026 Milan Cortina Paralympics Opening Ceremony takes place today at the historic Verona Arena, with comprehensive coverage available across multiple channels and streaming platforms featuring some of the biggest names in Paralympic broadcasting and commentary. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. ET (7 p.m. UTC), with coverage kicking off at 1:30 p.m. ET on USA Network with a preview show.[1][2]

UK viewers can tune into Channel 4 and the Channel 4 app, where a stellar team of presenters and commentators will guide audiences through the spectacle. Ade Adepitan, the former Paralympic wheelchair basketball player turned broadcaster, will lead presentation duties alongside Ed Jackson and rising motorsport star Billy Monger. The commentary box features experienced voices in Ciaran Jenkins and Rob Walker, with expert analysis from Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, the legendary Welsh Paralympian and former athlete, and Dame Sarah Storey, Britain's most successful Paralympian with multiple gold medals across cycling and swimming. Broadcaster and para-athlete Sean Rose completes the expert panel.

In North America, CBC and CBC Gem (Canada) will broadcast the ceremony with Anastasia Bucsis as the main commentator. Bucsis, a decorated former competitive figure skater and accomplished broadcaster, brings extensive experience covering winter sports at the highest level. She is joined by co-commentators Stef Reid, the British-American Paralympic sprinter and triple gold medallist, and Marissa Papaconstantinou. Meanwhile, Peacock USA, USA Network and HD services feature presenter Britney Eurton and Mallory Weggemann, an accomplished Paralympic swimmer and broadcaster, with main commentary from Ahmed Fareed and co-commentary by Chris Waddell, the influential American Paralympic athlete and sports advocate.

The ceremony, held at the Verona Olympic Arena—the same venue that hosted the 2026 Winter Olympics closing ceremony—promises to be a spectacular event showcasing the opening of the Games with 665 athletes competing across six sports in 79 medal events.[1][3] Eurovision Sport and YouTube's Paralympic Games channel also provide international coverage of the opening proceedings.

For those unable to watch live, NBC will air a primetime replay of the Opening Ceremony on Saturday, March 7 at 8 p.m. ET, also available on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com. The complete Opening Ceremony can be streamed live on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC app and NBC Sports app.[2] The Paralympic Games will conclude on March 15 with the Closing Ceremony at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium.[3]

With such diverse commentary teams representing broadcasting excellence across continents, viewers worldwide will experience the pageantry and significance of the Opening Ceremony through the expertise of former athletes, seasoned journalists and acclaimed presenters who understand both the athletic and human dimensions of Paralympic sport.

Article generated: 6 March 2026, 19:00 GMT