Swiss-Ski welcomes the Federal Council's support for the Olympics

The Federal Council is giving its backing to the Switzerland 2038 project: With its decision today, it reaffirms its support for the Swiss bid to host the 2038 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is an important milestone for the Switzerland 2038 project on its way to the decisive parliamentary phase.

At a press conference in Bern on Monday, the Federal Council reaffirmed its support for the Switzerland 2038 project, a move welcomed by Swiss-Ski. This gives the Swiss bid additional political momentum. The adopted message forms the basis for political deliberations in the National Council and the Council of States. Switzerland has the opportunity to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games for the first time since 1948. The Privileged Dialogue granted by the IOC applies exclusively to Switzerland and runs until the end of 2027.

In recent months, the focus has been on the Federal Council's message from January 2026 and the public consultation, which received predominantly positive feedback. With theMessage of June 22, one day before Olympic Day – when the values ​​of the Olympic movement are celebrated worldwide and sporting participation is promoted for all – an important political milestone has now been reached.

Political decisions expected by the end of 2026

With its clear stance today, the Federal Council has reaffirmed the ambitions of the Swiss bid and initiated the transition to the next phase. The upcoming parliamentary debate in the National Council and the Council of States marks an important step in a broadly supported national project, jointly championed by sport, politics, and society. Parliament is expected to debate the matter during the autumn and winter sessions of 2026. In parallel, the Switzerland 2038 association is intensifying discussions with partners regarding private financing. 82% of the organizational budget is to be raised through private sources.

Switzerland 2038 is supported by 14 cities and 10 cantons, which clearly and early on backed the project. The project also enjoys strong public support: according to a study by gfs.bern, 61% of respondents are in favor of Switzerland 2038. This high level of support demonstrates that the population recognizes the societal benefits for the next generation as a key argument. Hosting the Games in one's own country fosters identification, motivation, and long-term stability – for athletes as well as for clubs and associations.

Sports associations with a large reach

The project is supported by Swiss-Ski and other Swiss winter sports federations, which have many years of experience with major international events. These include the Ice Hockey World Championship in Zurich and Fribourg in 2026, the Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide in 2025, and the Alpine Ski World Championships in Crans-Montana next year. Switzerland 2038 stands for professionalism, responsibility, and realistic planning. The broad sporting community's support strengthens the project's credibility and demonstrates the united support of the Swiss sporting world. Switzerland 2038 consistently builds on existing infrastructure, promotes the development of expertise in event management, strengthens Olympic and Paralympic inclusion, and creates an impact far beyond 2038. A long-term legacy for sport and for the entire country is a central concern of the project – a legacy intended to last for generations.