Switzerland 2038 welcomes the support of the Swiss Federal Council

At a media conference held in Bern today, the Swiss Federal Council confirmed its support for the Switzerland 2038 project, thus providing Switzerland’s bid with additional political backing. The adopted dispatch forms the basis for the political discussions to be held in the Swiss National Council and the Council of States.

A unique opportunity for Switzerland

Switzerland has the chance to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games again for the first time since 1948. The privileged dialogue granted by the IOC applies exclusively for Switzerland and will run until the end of 2027.

In recent months, the focus has been on the Federal Council’s dispatch of January 2026,and the public consultation – which yielded predominantly positive feedback. The dispatch represents an important political milestone having been reached today – one day before Olympic Day, on which the values of the Olympic movement are celebrated and barrier-free sporting participation is promoted.

Ruth Wipfli Steinegger, Co-President of Switzerland 2038, is delighted:
“We would like to thank the Swiss Federal Council for the massive amount of confidence they have shown in our work. The positive message is highly significant for the final phase of the privileged dialogue. We are looking forward to the parliamentary discussions and engaging in further constructive dialogue with the worlds of politics and sport as well as with the general public.”

Frédéric Favre, CEO of Switzerland 2038, adds:
“The message sent out by the Swiss Federal Council today shows strong backing for Swiss sport and our bid. Hot on the heels of the winter and summer sports federations, the 10 host cantons and the 14 host cities, the Swiss Federal Council is now also getting behind a project that will bring our country together. This confirms that Switzerland 2038 is a credible and future-oriented project, while also sending an extremely positive signal to our parliament at the same time.”

Political decisions expected by the end of 2026

By establishing its clear position on the matter today, the Swiss Federal Council endorsed the ambitions of the Swiss bid and set in motion the move into the next phase. The upcoming parliamentary discussion in the Swiss National Council and the Council of States constitutes an important step in a national project that has received widespread support from the worlds of sport, politics and society. Parliament is expected to deliberate on the matter during its autumn and winter sessions in 2026.

In parallel with this, the Switzerland 2038 association will ramp up its discussions with partners on the topic of private funding, as 82% of the organisational budget is set to be financed from private funding.

Lenka Kölliker, Co-President of Switzerland 2038, says:
“The interest shown and the financial commitments made by companies and private individuals are proof of the confidence in our bid and confirm that Switzerland 2038 is seen as a sustainable and compelling project.”

Widespread support for the Swiss bid

Switzerland 2038 is supported by 14 cities and 10 cantons who threw their weight behind the project from an early stage. The project has also received a considerable amount of backing from the local population, with a study carried out by gfs.bern revealing that 61% of survey participants were in favour of Switzerland 2038.

This high degree of approval indicates that the Swiss population recognises that one of the main reasons for holding the Games is the social added value that will be generated for the next generation of athletes. Hosting the Games in our own country will create a sense of identity, motivation and long-term stability – for both athletes and the federations and associations.

Ruth Metzler-Arnold, President of Swiss Olympic, comments:
“Today’s decision by the Swiss Federal Council now also provides Switzerland 2038 with the vital backing of the federal government. This shows how much of a compelling effect the project is having on sport, politics and society as a whole, and how Switzerland 2038 is bringing everyone together behind a concerted vision that will bolster Swiss sport in the long run and inspire generations to come.”

Sports associations with great appeal

The project is supported by Swiss winter sports associations that possess many years of experience in organising major international events, such as the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships in Zurich and Fribourg, the Biathlon World Championships held in Lenzerheide last year as well as the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Crans-Montana and the European Figure Skating Championships in Lausanne, both of which will be held in the coming year. Switzerland 2038 is committed to professionalism, responsibility and realistic planning.

The wide-ranging sporting sponsorship improves the credibility of the project and shows that the Swiss sporting world is fully behind the undertaking.

Switzerland 2038 is relying on the infrastructure already in place, promoting the development of competence in event management, giving Olympic and Paralympic inclusion a boost and creating an impact that will be felt for many years after 2038. The long-term legacy of sport as well as of the entire country is one of the core concerns of the project – providing for a legacy that will endure over many generations to come.

The project will improve the development of young talented athletes, education and training as well as the long-term development of the structures in place in Swiss sport. The gfs.bern study impressively emphasises the importance of this aspect: 74% of the Swiss population believe that the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games would inspire a generation of young athletes and be a motivating factor for young people and society as a whole.

Available material
Explainer video of the timeline and process deadlines:
www.switzerland2038.com/en/project