Para Sport Festival Wales 2026: Dates, Cities and How to Take Part

The Para Sport Festival returns from 29 August to 13 September 2026, with nine events across Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Bangor. The programme combines elite competition with inclusive sessions where disabled young people and adults can try different sports.

This guide separates spectator events from activities that need participant registration. Dates, venues and booking links can change, so check the official festival page before travelling.

Para Sport Festival Wales 2026 dates and venues

The official programme currently lists the following events. Times are included where the organiser has published them.

The festival website is the best source for last-minute changes. One secondary listing still shows an older, shorter date range, so use the detailed official schedule above rather than relying on a search-result date alone.

Which events can you take part in?

The clearest open participation event is the insport Series Swansea on 10 September. It is designed to give disabled young people and adults opportunities to try inclusive sport and physical activity. Book through the official link so organisers receive the information needed to support participation.

The Deaf Rugby Community Event on 12 September is also marked as a Take Part event, with the organiser directing interested participants to the WRU Deaf Community representative. Visually impaired tennis is a competition rather than a general taster session; entrants need British Tennis membership and must use the LTA competition route.

Do not assume that a spectator ticket also registers someone to compete, or that every activity accepts walk-ins. Open the individual event card and check eligibility, age guidance, equipment, support and registration deadlines.

What can spectators watch?

The competitive programme ranges from fast team sports to precise individual disciplines. The Cymru Classic opens the festival with wheelchair basketball teams from across the UK. Cardiff then hosts para table tennis, while Newport stages visually impaired tennis.

The Swansea-area weekend is the broadest cluster. Air rifle and air pistol competition runs at LC Swansea, Wales face England in deaf football, and the mixed ability rugby fixture brings together Swansea Gladiators and Llanelli Warriors. Bangor closes the programme with the Home Nations Para Powerlifting Open.

Ticket arrangements differ between events. Follow the ticket link attached to the exact event rather than expecting one festival pass to cover every city.

Four host cities across Wales

The festival has expanded beyond its Swansea roots. In Welsh, the host cities include Caerdydd, Casnewydd, Abertawe and Bangor. The spread makes the programme more accessible geographically, but it also means visitors must check the exact venue rather than simply travelling to Swansea.

For more sport in Wales, browse the Welsh Sport collection. Visitors planning ahead can also read our Tour de France Cardiff spectator guide.

Accessibility and practical planning

An inclusive event still involves venue-specific details. Before booking, check accessible parking, step-free routes, seating, toilets, changing facilities, assistance policies, hearing or visual support and whether a personal assistant needs a separate ticket. Contact the organiser or venue when a requirement is not clearly answered online.

Allow extra time between parking, entrances and competition areas. For busy events, ask whether there is a quiet space and whether seating can be reserved. If taking part, confirm what equipment is supplied and what clothing, medication or personal equipment to bring.

Why the 2026 festival is different

The organiser describes the festival as a mix of Take Part and Competitive events rather than a single stadium programme. In 2026 it expands across four Welsh cities and adds visually impaired tennis and para powerlifting to a schedule that also includes deaf and mixed ability sport.

That combination is the reason to plan by event, not by festival day. Decide whether you want to compete, try an activity or watch elite sport, then use the relevant booking route.