Stockholm-Are and Milan-Cortina Neck and Neck in 2026 Bid Race

(ATR) The IOC says both Stockholm and Milan-Cortina are capable of hosting the 2026 Winter Games – but outlines a series of challenges.

In its 144-page evaluation report assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the Swedish and Italian bids, the IOC couches the benefits in terms of ‘opportunities’ and criticisms as ‘challenges’.

Neither bid appears to be in pole position in the evaluation, suggesting the race for the 2026 Olympics will go to the wire.

Publication of the report Friday comes after the Octavian Morariu-led 2026 IOC evaluation commission visited the bid cities in March and April, and marks one month to the IOC’s host city vote in Lausanne.

Covering four themes – Games concept, Games experience, Paralympics and Games delivery – the report namedrops the IOC’s Agenda 2020 reforms numerous times, despite the fact the bids have run along the lines of a rejigged bidding procedure under the New Norm banner.

Morariu said: "Both projects prioritise legacy and sustainability by capitalising on winter sports tradition and experience, with first-rate, established World Cup venues, knowledgeable and passionate fans, volunteers and event organisers. They have fully embedded the Olympic Agenda 2020 philosophy, and have athletes at the center of their plans."

Both bids plan to use on average over 80 percent existing or temporary venues, compared to 60 percent for the 2018 and 2022 candidate cities. According to the IOC report, the proposed Games organisation budgets are around 20 percent lower than those of candidates in the previous two Winter Games bid campaigns.

Stockholm 2026

The IOC report says Stockholm-Åre’s concept could act as a catalyst for national goals of social development and inclusion/ integration as part of the city’s "Vision 2040 Stockholm for Everyone". But it says "additional work and further engagement are needed" on how specific Games programs would support the long-term vision of the regions and national government.

Of 12 competition venues across four venue clusters, 75 percent are existing or temporary facilities; only three new venues would be built, for speed skating, curling and cross country skiing/biathlon, which are to be funded by the private sector. The Sigulda sliding center in Latvia will host bobsleigh, luge and skeleton. Four Olympic Villages are planned.

The IOC raises concerns around the use of the Hammarby venue for Alpine team event, saying it needs to be further evaluated on the risks (competition scheduling, costs) versus benefits (spectacular city event).

Funding and legacy use are cited as risks for the Hamra venue for biathlon and cross country skiing, while its high capacity along with Åre for Alpine skiing, freestyle and snowboard "will need to be re-evaluated in view of potential transport challenges".

Other issues were also raised about financing and post-Games use, in particular for the Olympic Village in Stockholm, which is dependent on private developers with a letter of intent submitted. "Backup funding details, should a private investor fail to materialise, have not been provided at this stage," the IOC report said.

Morariu’s commission is also worried about the construction and viability of the financial model for the speed skating oval and cross country/biathlon venue.

The report added the "assumption that only four competition venues will require capital upgrades may be optimistic. Further investment may be required, which could impact the OCOG budget".

The spread of Stockholm’s proposed venues prompted the IOC to say that "NOCs and IFs will require additional staff to ensure optimal support to athletes across the four clusters". Transport issues will be a challenge. The IOC said there were few details in thebid on public transport from Stockholm to other venue cities, particularly Åre and Sigulda.

For spectators, hotel capacities are limited in Falun and Åre, where almost all star-rated rooms would be needed for Games stakeholders. "Spectators would need to rely on alternative accommodation".

On budgets, the IOC said Stockholm Games organizers would need to closely monitor its revenues, identifying a "significant risk" in assuming an additional $100 million income from the TOP Program, which cannot be guaranteed by the IOC. "This will need to be addressed by securing increased revenue through the domestic program," it said.

On ticketing, the IOC suggested they "look on the high side".

Financial risks on expenditure were identified because the OCOG budget had been developed without input of specialists in areas that have "significant budget impact" such as energy and technology, while some key venue use rental fees, including for the Olympic Village, had not yet been agreed. A contingency provision of eight percent was considered low given the state of budget preparation and risks.

Milan-Cortina

The IOC praised the vision for the Games for being strongly aligned with the long-term plans of the host cities/regions.Of 14 competition venues proposed, 93 percent are existing or temporary, with only an ice hockey venue to build from scratch. There would be four main venue zones – Milan, Valtellina, Cortina, Val di Fiemme – and six Olympic Villages.

Commenting on the venue masterplan, the IOC said having two Alpine skiing venues in Bormio and Cortina "could increase operating costs and operational complexity for all stakeholders". The commission called for one or other to be used.

It also raised concerns about construction and post-Games operating costs of the sliding center and speed skating oval and potential transport challenges for high venue capacities in Valtellina, Val di Fiemme and Cortina.

On the financial side, the IOC identified challenges around construction costs and the viability of the post-Games financial model for the Cortina sliding centre and Baselga di Pine speed skating oval.

Like Stockholm, the IOC applauded the athlete-centered bid and Games experience but said this had to be optimized at all venue zones outside Milan. "NOCs and IFs will require additional staff to ensure optimal support to athletes across the four clusters," it added.

In Games delivery, concerns were highlighted about transport infrastructure and systems in the three mountain clusters, while the "spread of room inventory across four clusters requires careful operational planning".

On the Olympic Games expenditure, the IOC said "there are some areas identified where there may be budget gaps (e.g. technology). Certain elements of the concept… multiple venues for Alpine skiing and opening/closing ceremonies… may cause increased costs." It said the contingency fund of nine percent was moderate "given the state of budget preparation and risk".

New-look bidding procedure

The IOC said the process, including a new one-year non-committal dialogue phase, was built on "greater partnership, flexibility and sharing of knowledge". Under the revamped process, the IOC provided increased technical services to each interested city, while lowering the number of bid deliverables and presentations to international audiences. More than 20 Olympic experts supported the cities in development of their Games concepts.

The IOC said this should result in a reduction in the candidature budgets of more than 75 percent compared to the 2018 and 2022 contests.

Both bid cities are holding press conferences later today, while Morariu and Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi are also briefing reporters.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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