Less than a year before the Olympic flame is lit, the Organizing Committee of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games announced a 7% increase in its operating budget, reaching 1.7 billion euros. This increase, equivalent to 100 million more than the previous estimate, comes at a time when inflation in Italy has dropped significantly, allowing for better financial planning of the most important event in the global winter sports calendar.
The measure is part of a strategy that combines cost control with organizational ambition. Although infrastructure and venue construction projects, such as the skating center in Cortina d’Ampezzo or the hockey stadium in Santa Giulia, are excluded from the operating budget, the adjustment reflects the scale of the challenge and a concrete response to a more stable economic environment. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will contribute around 1 billion dollars, reinforcing the international support for the project.
Greater investment with a sustainable and rational approach
The budget increase comes in a context of lower inflationary pressure: Italy went from an annual rate of 5.7% in 2023 to 1% in 2024, driven by falling energy prices. This slowdown has made it easier to project costs more realistically and has created space to strengthen operational aspects without compromising the event’s viability. However, the new budget does not include major investments in new infrastructure, but rather focuses on optimizing the use of existing resources.
Unlike past editions that relied on megaprojects, Milano Cortina 2026 will use consolidated venues, many of which have previously hosted international competitions. This reuse, together with the decentralization of events and a focus on sustainability, keeps the budget well below the standards set by recent Games such as Beijing 2022 or Sochi 2014. With strong support from the Italian government and an execution that prioritizes efficiency, the organizers are moving toward Games that aim to set a precedent in financial responsibility and lasting legacy.
