The Swiss Federal Council has come out in favour of Switzerland hosting the 2038 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, clearing an important political hurdle for a bid that would bring the event back to the Alps after more than half a century. The government has also outlined a federal contribution ceiling of CHF 200 million.
The decision, announced in Bern on 22 June, marks a formal endorsement of a project that backers say could showcase Switzerland’s sporting infrastructure, mountain regions and public transport system on the world stage. In its planning decree, the Federal Council made clear that the Confederation would not assume any deficit liability for the Games.
2038 Winter Olympics And Paralympics: What The Money Would Cover
According to the government’s outline, the proposed federal contribution would be capped at CHF 200 million and divided across several areas. The largest share, CHF 80 million, would support other costs borne by the organising association, while CHF 60 million would help co-finance the Paralympic Games. A further CHF 50 million is earmarked as an incentive to encourage spectators to use public transport, with CHF 10 million reserved for currently unforeseeable expenses.
That financing structure is designed to keep the federal role limited while still enabling a bid that can compete internationally. The absence of a federal guarantee for any future deficit is likely to be a politically sensitive point as debate over major-event spending continues.
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Why The Bid Matters
The 2038 Games would be the first Winter Olympics and Paralympics hosted in Switzerland since the country staged the Winter Games in St. Moritz in 1948. Supporters argue that Switzerland’s alpine geography, existing rail network and sporting heritage make it well placed to mount a credible, lower-impact Games concept.
But major questions remain, including the exact host region, the final financing model and how the bid will balance prestige with public spending discipline. The Federal Council’s endorsement is therefore significant, but it is only one step in a longer process before any final decision on hosting rights.
