Switzerland Could Secure 2038 Winter Olympics Bid by 2027, Says IOC

MILAN, Feb. 4: Switzerland’s bid to host the 2038 Winter Olympics could be finalized by 2027, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said Wednesday, provided the country completes its local political consultation process by the end of this year.

Karl Stoss, head of the IOC’s Future Host Commission for the Olympic Winter Games, said that if Switzerland misses the 2027 deadline, the IOC would open the bidding process to other interested countries.

Currently, Switzerland is the only nation engaged in privileged dialogue with the IOC. The country last hosted the Winter Olympics in 1948 at St. Moritz. “The IOC is only negotiating with Switzerland to allow the public and political consultation processes to be fully respected,” Stoss said.

Switzerland has repeatedly rejected Olympic plans in recent years, with proposals from Sion, Graubünden, and St. Moritz/Davos failing to gain significant local support. Similarly, other bids in the German and Austrian Alps, including Innsbruck 2026, have faced resistance due to environmental concerns over construction, increased human activity, and the impact of tens of thousands of visitors on the fragile alpine ecosystem.

Stoss added that the Swiss parliament is expected to vote on committing financial support to the project by December 2026. If all conditions are met, the IOC could open a targeted dialogue in December 2026, potentially leading to a host city election in April 2027.

The 2030 Winter Olympics will be held in France’s part of the Alps, while the 2034 Games are scheduled for Salt Lake City in the United States.