IPC’s Paralympic Games YouTube channel sees exponential growth, reflecting growing interest in Para sport

unprecedented growth on its Paralympic Games YouTube channel in the first quarter of 2025, with 54.5 million video views, a 2,625 per cent increase on the same period in 2024.

Fuelled by more than 1,300 hours of footage from the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games being made available on the channel, the channel has also seen the number of subscribers increase by 24 per cent to 1.24 million in the first three months of the year.

Dr Mike Peters PLY, the IPC’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “The skyrocketing increase in our @paralympics YouTube numbers underscores the growing global interest in the Paralympic Games, Para athletes, their fierce competition, and their powerful and unique stories of finding strength in difference.”

“As short-form content continues to shape how media is consumed, our YouTube strategy capitalises on this trend by sharing compelling, bite-sized stories. With increased posting frequency, we are showing audiences a glimpse into the fierce competition and raw emotion of Para sports, creating more impactful connections with fans around the world.”

Growing global interest and engagement

The IPC’s social media presence has expanded significantly, with approximately 10 million followers across all its channels, with TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram three of its most popular platforms. In 2024, the IPC’s channels recorded an impressive 1.6 billion video views.

During the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the IPC’s digital channels reached over 305 million video views and 16.1 million engagements, showcasing the growing global interest in Para sports.  The number of Paralympic-related internet searches during the Games broke the one billion-barrier for the first time, while in the USA, Paralympics placed fifth in the top Google news searches of 2024.

In addition, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were a tremendous broadcasting success with more platforms and countries screening the event than ever before, viewers consuming a record number of live hours, and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies attracting their biggest ever live audiences.

According to new Nielsen research conducted on behalf of the IPC, 763.3 million hours of dedicated live coverage was consumed by viewers worldwide during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, 83 per cent more than the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Strong momentum for 2026

According to Peters, the combination of record viewing figures for Paris 2024 and surging engagement in the IPC’s digital channels bodes well for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

“There is clearly a growing global interest in Paralympic sport which is testament to the ever-advancing performances of Para athletes,” explained Peters. “With less than one year to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, we are in a very strong position and are looking forward to engaging worldwide audiences with outstanding sport.

“Thrilling competition across six sports and the stunning backdrop of the Dolomite Mountains will make for compelling viewing. We are eager to continue sharing such amazing competition across all our channels,” Peters added.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will take place between 6 to 15 March 2026. Tickets are already on sale and can be purchased from https://tickets.milanocortina2026.org/en/.