Andorra Boosts 2026 Sports Subsidies 8% to €4.78M, Rugby Club Gets 35% Hike
Andorran officials raised sports funding for 2026 by 8% amid demands from clubs like VPC Andorra, which faced financial woes after promotion. The allocation emphasizes elite athletes, women's projects, and performance criteria.
Key Points
- Total subsidies rise to €4,781,127.93 across 40 entities, up from 1.9% plan due to needs like VPC Andorra's sponsor loss.
- VPC Andorra rugby subsidy jumps 35% to €325,579; FAE gets largest at €1,451,194.
- New high-performance funding for 8 elite athletes; 2027 support planned for women's football.
- Subsidies up 20% since legislature began, tied to strong results in Small States Games and Olympics.
The Andorran government has increased its sports subsidies for 2026 by 8% to €4,781,127.93, distributing funds across 40 entities: 24 Olympic sports federations, eight non-Olympic, and eight collective sports clubs.
The adjustment follows an initial plan for a more modest 1.9% rise, but additional needs prompted the larger allocation. A key factor was financial strain at VPC Andorra, the rugby club that lost a major sponsor after promotion to Spain's División de Honor B. The government allocated an extra €80,000-€85,000 to VPC, bringing its total subsidy to €325,579—a 35% increase from €241,000 in 2025 and nearly €200,000 more than three years ago.
Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Mònica Bonell and State Secretary Alain Cabanes presented the figures at a press conference. Bonell noted the executive anticipated some increase but stressed this should not set a precedent. "Clubs must pair sporting growth with solid financial planning," Cabanes said, adding that public funds cannot cover all costs of promotion.
The Federació Andorrana d'Esquí (FAE) receives the largest share at €1,451,194, up €125,194. Other notable awards include Federació Andorrana de Motociclisme (€309,735), Federació Andorrana d'Atletisme (€207,720), Federació Andorrana de Rugbi (€204,135, up €39,135), and BC MoraBanc (€224,819, up €23,819). FC Andorra's ordinary subsidy remains €17,000, separate from €850,000 in stadium rental support via a specific agreement with the Federació Andorrana de Futbol and Andorra Turisme.
A new high-performance line targets elite athletes in the ARA programme: five from FAE, two from Federació Andorrana d'Atletisme, and one from Federació Andorrana de Canoa i Caiac. Cabanes said it addresses extra costs and aims to expand across the sports pyramid by 2027.
Collective sports subsidies now factor in Andorran or resident participation. Examples include MoraBanc's second team for national squad development, Federació Andorrana de Rugbi's Les Grandalles women's XV, and Club Vòlei Andorra's women's project. Bonell announced 2027 support for Enfaf Construccions Modernes, the women's football team.
The rise reflects strong results at the Small States Games and Milan Winter Olympics, with federations meeting criteria like gender equality promotion and base-level sports development. Since the legislature began, sports subsidies have grown 20%.
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