Less than a year before the opening of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the organizing foundation has reached a significant financial milestone: it has already secured over €400 million in private sponsorships. The Opening Ceremony is set to take place on February 6 at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan, and preparations are progressing steadily thanks to strong support from the Italian business sector.

The self-financing strategy adopted by the Foundation has been key to this success. According to its Chief Revenue Officer, Nevio Devidé, no government contributions are expected, and commercial agreements with national partners have helped cover a substantial portion of the initial €500 million budget. The positive outlook is further bolstered by promising ticket sales, with over 657,000 tickets already purchased by the public.

Support and Remaining Challenges

During the presentation of a study conducted by Ipsos for Visa, Devidé highlighted the enthusiasm of the country’s business community and the strength of a plan centered on private management. This financial autonomy has allowed for a clear definition of available resources and directed investment toward top-tier sporting experiences. Part of the funds will go toward key areas such as athlete care and the production of memorable Olympic celebrations.

However, challenges remain. Milan’s mayor, Giuseppe Sala, acknowledged that at least an additional €100 million is needed to close the budget, particularly to complete infrastructure projects such as the Santa Giulia Palasport, whose costs have increased. Minister Andrea Abodi is leading efforts to address this shortfall, while optimism grows among the host regions. According to the Visa-Ipsos survey, 95% of small and medium-sized businesses expect a positive economic impact, driven by tourism and the rise in digital payment usage.