Switzerland 2038 – Support is built where funding, trust and implementation are seen as credible
Currently, a majority of Swiss voters support a bid to host the 2038 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. At the same time, the project is caught between a sense of keen interest and fundamental reservations. Whether this majority will hold depends on how credibly the opportunities and risks are assessed.
Majority support, high level of interest
The bid for the 2038 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games currently enjoys majority support among the Swiss electorate. 61 per cent would vote ‘yes’ in a popular vote. At the same time, the project is firmly embedded in the public consciousness: around three-quarters of the population have heard of it. This high level of awareness lays the foundation for a more in-depth formation of opinion, which is not yet complete and depends heavily on future developments.
Concrete benefits are convincing, but fundamental scepticism remains
Support is based primarily on tangible arguments. The existing infrastructure, the decentralised organisation and the social benefits – such as for young talent and social cohesion – are widely recognised. At the same time, fundamental reservations remain. These are directed in particular against international structures such as the IOC, against potential cost implications and against environmental concerns. The criticism is thus less project-specific than systemic in nature. Crucially, concrete and comprehensible benefits are more persuasive than abstract promises.
Funding and trust as key factors
The central dividing line in public opinion runs along the issue of funding. Those who assume a privately funded and low-risk implementation are significantly more likely to support the bid. Those who, on the other hand, expect financial risks for the public sector are more likely to reject it. Closely linked to this is trust in the responsible stakeholders. Greater trust in the association ‘Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Switzerland 2038’ increases openness towards the project and boosts the likelihood of approval.
How the survey was conducted
The results are based on a representative survey of 1,007 people aged 16 and over from the Swiss resident population. The survey took place between 6 and 20 March 2026 and combined an online panel with telephone interviews. The data has been weighted and is representative of Switzerland. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points.
- You can download the full report (in German) here.
