Brisbane 2032 Paralympic sports programme to be finalised in 2027
Synopsis
No sport is guaranteed a spot at Brisbane 2032 — and now athletes and federations must wait until 2027 to find out what makes the cut. The IPC has pushed its Paralympic sports programme decision to align with the IOC's own April 2027 timeline, turning the next year into a critical window for every Para sport seeking inclusion.
Key Takeaways
The IPC Governing Board will finalise the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic sports programme in 2027 , later than the originally planned late 2026 .
The shift aligns with the IOC's revised decision to confirm the Olympic sports programme in April 2027 .
No sport is guaranteed inclusion; all International Federations must apply and are being evaluated under the IPC Handbook criteria.
The IPC launched its application process in late 2025 ; analysis of submissions is currently ongoing.
The Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games are scheduled for 24 August – 5 September 2032 .
More than 250 leaders attended the IPC Membership Gathering in Berlin from 7–9 November 2026 , where the decision was announced.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board has decided to finalise the sports programme for the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games in 2027, pushing back its original timeline of late 2026. The shift follows a revised schedule announced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which will confirm the Olympic sports programme for Brisbane 2032 in April 2027.
Why the Timeline Shifted
The IPC's decision-making process for the Paralympic sports programme is formally independent of the IOC's, but the two are practically linked. Factors such as venue availability, cost, and complexity — all influenced by Olympic planning — directly bear on Paralympic sport selection. With the IOC confirming its own programme only in April 2027, the IPC Governing Board determined it was logical to align its own finalisation to the same period.
Notably, the Olympic venue masterplan can affect which sports are feasible for inclusion in the Paralympic Games — making a parallel or closely sequenced decision process more practical than separate timelines.
The Application Process Already Under Way
The IPC initiated the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic sport programme process in late 2025, inviting International Federations and Recognised International Federations to submit applications. Those submissions are currently being evaluated against criteria set out in the IPC Handbook.
Colleen Wrenn, the IPC's Executive Director, Paralympic Games, said: 'For each edition of the Paralympic Games, we start with a blank canvas when building the sport programme and Brisbane 2032 is no different. No sport is guaranteed a place on the programme, and the goal is to shape a competitive and compelling Games.'
Wrenn added: 'Since we received the applications from International Federations and Recognised Federations, we have been analysing them all in line with the process outlined in the IPC Handbook to determine the best possible sport programme for Brisbane 2032. With the IOC confirming its Olympic sport programme decision next year, it makes sense for the IPC to do the same with regard to the Paralympic sport programme.'
Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games: Key Dates
The Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games are scheduled to take place from 24 August to 5 September 2032. The Games will follow the Olympic edition in the same host city, with shared venue infrastructure expected to shape programme decisions significantly.
IPC Membership Gathering in Berlin
The announcement came during the IPC Membership Gathering held in Berlin, Germany, from 7 to 9 November 2026. More than 250 leaders from across the Paralympic movement attended the three-day forum, organised under the theme 'Coming Together: A Call to Action'.
The gathering brought together National Paralympic Committees (NPCs), International Federations, International Organisations of Sport for the Disabled, Regional Organisations, and IPC representatives to discuss opportunities and challenges as the movement enters a new strategic cycle.
The final shape of the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic sports programme — and which sports make the cut — will become clearer once the IPC Governing Board convenes its decision in 2027.
Point of View
But it compresses the window for federations, athletes, and host organisers to plan. Para sport faces unique infrastructure constraints — a delayed decision means less preparation time for emerging sports seeking their first Games appearance. The IPC's 'blank canvas' framing is a double-edged signal: it promises ambition, but also creates uncertainty for sports with fragile funding ecosystems that depend on Games confirmation to secure investment. The Brisbane 2032 cycle will be a stress test of whether the Paralympic movement can use this extended window productively or simply defer pressure to 2027.
NationPress
10 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic sports programme be finalised?
The IPC Governing Board will finalise the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic sports programme during 2027, having moved back from the original late 2026 target. The shift was announced at the IPC Membership Gathering in Berlin in November 2026.
Why was the Paralympic sports programme decision pushed to 2027?
The decision was delayed to align with the IOC's revised timeline, which will confirm the Brisbane 2032 Olympic sports programme in April 2027. Because venue plans and costs for the Olympic Games directly affect Paralympic planning, the IPC determined it was logical to finalise its programme around the same time.
When are the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games taking place?
The Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games are scheduled from 24 August to 5 September 2032, following the Olympic Games in the same host city.
Which sports are confirmed for Brisbane 2032 Paralympics?
No sport is currently confirmed. The IPC starts with a 'blank canvas' for each Games edition, and all International Federations and Recognised International Federations had to submit applications, which are still being evaluated under IPC Handbook criteria.
What was the IPC Membership Gathering in Berlin?
The IPC Membership Gathering was a three-day forum held in Berlin, Germany, from 7 to 9 November 2026, attended by more than 250 leaders from the Paralympic movement. Organised under the theme 'Coming Together: A Call to Action', it addressed collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strategic planning for the future of Para sport.
