Key information
- The International Olympic Committee has granted Switzerland a “right of preference” to host the 2038 Winter Games.
- The Swiss government aims to prepare a detailed application by 2027 to guarantee the organization of the event.
- An interdepartmental working group has been established to prepare and plan for the potential application.
After the failure of its bids for the 2030 and 2034 Winter Games, Switzerland wants to host the 2038 Games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had previously favored the candidacies of France and the United States for these years, but granted Switzerland a “right of preference” for 2038, subject to a refined candidacy by 2027. The Swiss government believes that hosting the Games would have a positive impact on society and the economy, as indicated in a recent press release from the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sports ( DDPS).
Preparation efforts
An interdepartmental working group has been set up to prepare this potential application. This group will focus on planning and analyzing the federal government’s financial contributions to the Games, with Swiss Olympic leading the assessment of suitable Olympic venues and clarifying the role of public authorities in supporting the event.
Past application attempts
Switzerland’s previous attempts to host the Winter Olympics, including joint bids from St. Moritz and Davos for 2022 and the canton of Valais for 2026, ultimately ended in failure at the ballot box. The last time Switzerland hosted the Winter Olympics was in St. Moritz in 1948.
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