Press releasePublished on 22 June 2026

Federal Council supports Switzerland hosting the 2038 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

Bern, 22.06.2026 — The Federal Council is in favour of Switzerland hosting the 2038 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. At the start of this year, it set out the main criteria for supporting this major sporting event. During the consultation process, the proposed planning decision was widely supported. This provides for a federal contribution of CHF 200 million. At its meeting on 19 June, the Federal Council took note of the results of the consultation and approved the dispatch for submission to Parliament.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is currently holding privileged discussions with Switzerland regarding the hosting of the 2038 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (OWPG 2038). This means that Switzerland can prepare its bid dossier without competition until the end of 2027. Provided it meets the IOC's requirements regarding the hosting and financing plan, as well as legacy and sustainability objectives, Switzerland will be awarded the Games.

The Federal Council supports the OWPG 2038 project and recognises the significant opportunities that hosting this major event could bring, such as furthering the development of sport and technological innovation, strengthening social cohesion, creating tourism value and enhancing Switzerland's international reputation. It therefore expressed its fundamental support in September 2024 and submitted its proposal for federal support to consultation at the beginning of this year.

Consultation broadly positive

The proposed planning decision was widely welcomed and supported during the consultation process. Based on the results of the consultation and developments in the project over recent months, no fundamental changes to the key parameters of federal support are required. The Federal Council has taken note of the consultation results and approved the dispatch for submission to Parliament.

Federal contribution: CHF 200 million – no liability for deficits

In the planning decision, the Federal Council has provided for a federal contribution of up to CHF 200 million. This support is conditional on the cantons and communes contributing an equivalent amount to the costs of planning and staging the OWPG 2038. The federal contribution will be used to co-finance the Paralympic Games (CHF 60 million), subsidise public transport for visitors (CHF 50 million), cover additional costs incurred by the organising body (CHF 80 million) and provide a contingency fund for unforeseen expenses (CHF 10 million). This sum excludes funding for security tasks, which will be covered by the Confederation as part of its regular responsibilities.

The planning decision also stipulates that the Confederation will not be liable for any deficits related to the 2038 Winter Games. The association responsible for organising the Games has provided a privately financed deficit guarantee of CHF 200 million. Total costs are estimated at CHF 2.2 billion, and alongside public-sector contributions, revenues are expected from sponsorship, merchandising, ticket sales and a substantial contribution from the IOC.

No optional referendum

The Federal Council continues to classify the planning decision as ‘not of major significance’, meaning it is not subject to an optional referendum. The expected financial commitment from the Confederation is significantly lower than that of previous OWPG bid projects, and the risks associated with the hosting and financing concept appear manageable. The decentralised hosting concept ensures that parliaments and local populations in the areas where competitions will take place will be involved.