The Government has confirmed that the summer and winter Paralympic Games have been added to the ‘crown jewels’ list of protected sports events.

In a boost to Paralympic sports fans in the UK the decision ensures the Games will remain available for free-to-air television broadcasters in the future, reaching the widest possible audience, and not go behind a pay-wall.

The Games, which were founded at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in 1948, have become one of the biggest global events in sport, and now enjoys record levels of media coverage and interest.

During the Athens 2004 Games, 10.6 million people watched at least 15 consecutive minutes of coverage. By Rio 2016, this had reached 31.6 million people - an increase of almost 200%.

At London 2012, Channel 4 dedicated 500 hours of broadcast time across its platforms, with this increasing to 700 hours for Rio 2016 and a commitment to increase this further still for Tokyo 2020.

The addition of the Paralympic Games marks a major step forward in improving the inclusivity of listed events. By delivering parity with the Olympic Games, it underlines the Government’s commitment to improving the visibility of disability sports.

Ross Wilson, London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic medallist, said: “It is fantastic news that the Paralympics now has the same status as the Olympics and other major sporting events.

“My first experience of the Paralympics was London 2012 and the support we had from the British public was incredible. Since then the interest in Paralympic sport has continued to grow and thanks to lottery funding I can train full time and be the best athlete that I can be.

“Ensuring that the Paralympics is available for everyone to watch live on TV is important, not only to me as an athlete, but also to increase participation in Para sport and inspire young athletes with a disability in the future.”

Multiple Paralympic champion Baroness Grey-Thompson said: “I am delighted that the Paralympic Games has been added to the list of ‘Crown Jewels’.

When you look at the other events it will now sit alongside, it means so much to athletes, current and retired, to know the level that the Paralympic Games has reached in the public consciousness and how much it means to everyone.”

Mike Sharrock, Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association said: “The Paralympic Games is the most inspirational sporting event in the world and London 2012 clearly demonstrated the British public’s passion for watching our incredible athletes represent ParalympicsGB.

“We have been advocating for some time that the Paralympics Games should be treated in the same way as the Olympic Games and always be available on free-to-air television for the nation to enjoy. As we build towards Tokyo 2020 we are delighted this has now been added to the list of sporting ‘crown jewels’ as it marks a significant moment for a nation that is proud to be the home of Paralympic sport.”

Sports Minister Nigel Adams said: “The Paralympic Games is one of the highlights of the sporting calendar, as the country comes together to support our world-class Paralympic athletes. So it is only right that the event is available on free-to-air television for all to enjoy.

“Adding the Games to the crown-jewels list of major sporting events guarantees it the platform it deserves every four years that will help inspire the sporting stars of the future.

“I am proud that the UK is the birthplace of the Paralympic movement which has done so much in shifting attitudes and raising awareness on disability.”

Alex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4 said: “We are delighted that the Government has decided to add the Paralympic Games to the list of ‘crown jewel’ sporting events that should be available on free to air television.

“Channel 4 is proud to have been the UK broadcaster of the Paralympic Games since London 2012 and we strongly believe that they are of significant national interest to British audiences.

“This decision means that the Paralympics has parity with the Olympic Games in terms of its national status and will ensure that audiences from across the UK will be able to continue to enjoy the incredible sporting achievements of Paralympic athletes.”

Dame Katherine Grainger, Chair of UK Sport said: “Our Paralympians have created some of the most iconic sporting moments of the past decade through their global success and incredible stories.

“To have government assurance that we will be able to continue to watch these inspirational sporting achievements unfold on terrestrial TV for many years to come is wonderful news and places the Paralympic Games in its rightful place amongst the greatest sporting events in world sport.”

The announcement marks the first change to the listed events regime in more than twenty years. It follows a consultation process with the BBC, S4C, Ofcom and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and with Channel 4 as the current rights holder for the Paralympic Games, that includes Tokyo 2020 later this year.

It will see the Paralympic Games made a ‘Group A event’. This ensures the event is given the same status as the Olympic Games, men’s football World Cup, FA Cup Final, Grand National and Wimbledon finals.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has also consulted on adding the women’s equivalents of men’s events already on the list. The consultation has now closed and a final decision on any changes relating to this will be made in due course.

The revised list of free-to-air listed events is as follows:

Group A (full live coverage protected)