2026 Winter Olympics: Fun events, but what about the bill?

"The build up to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina have been far from ideal. The ice rink has been delayed and riddled with issues. The bobsleigh track has been controversial from the start. History shows that many Winter Olympic hosts have also been plagued by late construction completions and rising costs, but perhaps 2026 represents a tipping point."

"The estimated budget for the 2026 Winter Olympics is north of $3.5 billion (3 billion). Some reporting suggests there will be an economic boost of approximately 5 billion as a result of the Games, through tourism and infrastructure upgrades for example. That figure remains an estimate. History also shows that sadly too many Games suffer from white elephants the concept that expensive stadiums and facilities become unused over time."

Significant venue problems have emerged ahead of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, including a delayed, problem-riddled ice rink and a controversial bobsleigh track. Economists note a recurrent pattern of late constructions and escalating costs among Winter Olympic hosts. Victor Matheson argues that bidding without existing multipurpose venues is economically unjustifiable and that specialized facilities are sometimes understandable but risky. The estimated budget exceeds $3.5 billion, with optimistic reports projecting roughly $5 billion in economic benefits, although those figures remain estimates. Historical outcomes show many Games create unused "white elephant" facilities, prompting renewed debate over Olympic value.

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