The Canton aims to increase its attractiveness for sporting events while maximizing their positive and lasting impact on the population and the Vaud region. As outlined in the 2022-2027 Legislative Program and the Cantonal Concept for Sport and Physical Activity adopted in 2024, the cantonal strategy for hosting and supporting sporting events marks a new stage in strengthening Vaud's sports policy. It relies in particular on the additional resources allocated following the adoption by the Grand Council, in June 2025, of the State Council's counter-proposal to the popular initiative "For an ambitious Vaud sports policy!"
A land of sport and a nerve center of international sport, the canton of Vaud enjoys a unique position in the sporting landscape, thanks in particular to the "Lausanne Olympic Capital" ecosystem. Sporting events contribute fully to this prestige, but also to the promotion of physical activity, social cohesion, and the economic and tourism dynamism of the canton.
With its new cantonal strategy for hosting and supporting sporting events, the State Council now intends to integrate the hosting of these events into a long-term vision and to establish a framework for structuring, prioritizing and measuring cantonal support.
Presented today, this approach reflects the Government's desire to consider sporting events not as an end in themselves, but as levers at the service of public policies and the Vaud population. “Our strategy establishes a clear and coherent framework. It aims to better support events, prioritize the most promising projects, and strengthen their contribution to our public policy objectives.” underlines Christelle Luisier Brodard, President of the Council of State and Head of the Department of Finance, Territory and Sport.
A financial framework strengthened by the Grand Council
This policy benefits from a consolidated financial framework stemming directly from the State Council's counter-proposal to the popular initiative. "For an ambitious sports policy in Vaud!"adopted by the Grand Council in June 2025. Among the provisions retained, measure 20 of the counter-proposal provides for an annual increase of 1,1 million francs in support for international sporting events and congresses. In addition, Parliament adopted two framework credits of 40 million francs each, intended to support the hosting and organization of large-scale sporting competitions over the next 10 years, such as European or World Championships.
Through this strategy, the Canton of Vaud aims to become, by 2040, a leading territory in hosting sporting events with positive impacts by capitalizing on recurring events that contribute to Vaud's sporting identity, seizing new opportunities to host large-scale events and promoting exemplary organizational practices in terms of sustainability, resource use, inclusion and participation of local stakeholders.
A strategic vision structured around objectives
In order to enhance the added value of the supported events, four priority objectives have been defined:
- Promote physical activity and sport, in particular by strengthening links with clubs, schools and municipalities;
- Strengthening social cohesion through participation, inclusion, volunteering and diversity of audiences;
- Maximize sustainable economic and tourism benefits;
- Develop the "Lausanne Olympic Capital" ecosystem.
This approach is the result of a collaborative process involving numerous stakeholders in Vaud sport: host municipalities, associations, event organizers, academic institutions, institutional partners, and cantonal government departments. Thanks to this framework and the additional resources allocated, the State Council intends to take a further step in implementing an ambitious, structured, and sustainable Vaud sporting policy, for the benefit of sport, the population, and all regions of the canton.
