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EditorPARA SPORT: Swansea to host part of four-city festival expansion in biggest shake-up yet
Swansea will once again be at the centre of a major national sporting event after plans were confirmed to expand the Para Sport Festival across four cities in 2026.
The festival — launched this week at the LC Swansea — will grow from its current format into a multi-venue event spanning Swansea, Cardiff, Newport and Bangor.
Organisers say the move marks a major step forward for what has quickly become one of Wales’ most important inclusive sporting events.
The 2026 edition will also shift from its traditional summer slot to the autumn, a change designed to support further growth and attract a wider range of competitions and athletes.
Swansea launch highlights growing ambition
The expansion was formally unveiled in Swansea, where schoolchildren from across the area were invited to take part in a series of taster sessions — including wheelchair basketball, football, boxing, judo and boccia.
The event, backed by Disability Sport Wales, is now entering its fifth year, with organisers pointing to steady growth in both participation and profile.
Welsh Government minister Jack Sargeant said continued investment in the festival reflected a wider commitment to disability sport.
“Our continued support of the Para Sport Festival reaffirms our commitment to the development of disability sport, creating sporting opportunities for disabled people from across Wales.
“This event will once again make the most of the fantastic facilities in Swansea, Cardiff and Newport — and now Bangor — meaning more people from more areas can join in than ever before.”
Children try out inclusive sports activities at the Para Sport Festival launch event.New sports and international ambitions
As part of the expansion, organisers confirmed that new disciplines — including visually impaired tennis and para powerlifting — will be introduced for 2026.
There are also plans to increase the level of competition, with hopes of attracting more elite athletes from outside Wales and the UK.
Robyn Wilkins, Para Sport Festival Senior Officer at Disability Sport Wales, said the event’s growth had been driven by both returning competitions and new additions.
“We are always looking at ways to expand and 2026 sees the expansion from two to four host cities.
“We take great pride in the return of past sporting events as it shows how important and successful the Para Sport Festival has been in terms of a significant date in the sporting calendar.
“But we are also incredibly excited to see the festival attracting new sporting events to the schedule.”
She added:
“For our returning events, we continue to grow the level of competition and are looking to bring more world class athletes from outside of Wales and the UK than ever before.
“For our new events, we see the introduction of visually impaired tennis and para powerlifting — events that will showcase Wales’ ability to host a range of competitive sporting events.”
The Para Sport Festival will expand to four host cities across Wales in 2026.Athletes highlight impact of festival
Athletes involved in the festival say its growth is helping to raise the profile of disability sport while opening up opportunities for more people to get involved.
Paralympic, World and European champion Ben Pritchard, who attended the Swansea launch, said the event’s development over recent years had been significant.
“It’s testament to the Festival in terms of how it’s grown in four years.
“It’s a great way to showcase sport and to encourage people of all ages and abilities to enjoy being involved — whether that’s participating, volunteering or cheering from the sidelines.”
Competitor Sue Morris said the festival had played a key role in her own sporting journey.
“The Para Sport Festival holds a very special place in my heart.
“It was my first shooting competition and I came away with two gold medals — an event I will never forget. The atmosphere was amazing.”
Wheelchair basketball player Alex Wilson added that the event provides a vital platform for athletes.
“It is hard to put into words the influence sport has had on my life and it’s fantastic to showcase the sport I love as part of this multi-sport, multi-venue festival.”
Swansea remains key to festival’s future
With Swansea once again hosting key elements of the festival, organisers say the city will continue to play a leading role as the event develops.
The expansion to four cities is expected to bring increased attention to Wales as a destination for major inclusive sporting events — while also ensuring more communities can take part.
For Swansea, it reinforces the city’s growing reputation as a hub for sport — and ensures it remains firmly at the heart of one of the country’s fastest-growing events.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
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