Andorra Boosts 2026 Sports Subsidies 8% to €4.78M, Aids Rugby Club
Andorran officials raised sports funding for 2026 by 8% amid VPC Andorra's sponsor loss post-promotion. A new elite athlete program launches, while leaders push clubs toward financial self-reliance and debate the national model.
Key Points
- Total subsidies rise to 4,781,127.93 euros for 40 entities, up from 1.9% planned increase.
- VPC Andorra rugby gets €325,579, up 35% with €80,000 extra after sponsor loss.
- New high-performance line funds 8 elite athletes; FAE receives most at €1.45M.
- Future aid for women's football; clubs urged to plan finances independently.
The Andorran government has increased its 2026 sports subsidies by 8% to 4,781,127.93 euros, distributing funds among 40 entities: 24 Olympic sports federations, eight non-Olympic, and eight collective sports clubs. The adjustment, originally planned at 1.9%, stems partly from additional support for VPC Andorra rugby club, which lost a major sponsor after promotion, creating financial strain.
Sports Minister Mònica Bonell explained that the government allocated about 80,000 euros extra to VPC to address this imbalance. The club's total subsidy rises to 325,579 euros, up 35% from 241,000 euros in 2025 and nearly 200,000 euros more than three years ago. Bonell stressed this should not set a precedent, noting clubs must plan finances to handle promotion costs without full public funding reliance.
Secretary of State for Sports Alain Cabanes echoed the call for solid economic planning, urging clubs to avoid depending entirely on state aid for competitive gains. He highlighted the need to debate Andorra's sports model, balancing high-level competition with prioritizing local Andorran and resident athletes.
A key innovation is a new high-performance subsidy line, initially aiding eight elite athletes in the ARA programme: five from the Andorran Ski Federation (FAE), two from Athletics (FAA), and one from Canoe and Kayak (FACC). Cabanes said it covers extra costs for top athletes, with plans to expand across the sports pyramid by 2027.
Funding highlights include FAE receiving the largest share at 1,451,194 euros (up 125,194 euros); BC MoraBanc at 224,819 euros (up 23,819 euros); Andorran Rugby Federation (FAR) at 204,135 euros (up 39,135 euros); and FC Andorra steady at 17,000 euros. Collective sports grants now factor in Andorran/resident participation, citing examples like FAR's women's team Les Grandalles, MoraBanc's second team, and Club Vòlei Andorra's women's project.
Bonell also announced 2027 support for Enfaf Construccions Modernes, the women's football team, to promote female sports. Separately, FC Andorra receives 850,000 euros in stadium rental aid from the government and Andorra Turisme, outside standard subsidies.
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