Hungary allocates significant funds to sports via TAO system and budget

Government data reveals that the TAO system, a corporate tax incentive scheme used to fund Hungarian sports, has issued certifications totaling 1,407.9 billion forints across 11 periods. The Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) is the largest beneficiary, receiving 120.9 billion forints, which accounts for 8.6 percent of the total. Other major recipients include the Hungarian Handball Federation with 56.5 billion forints and the Hungarian Basketball Federation with 49.5 billion forints.

The Felcsút Youth Development Foundation received 45.4 billion forints, an amount exceeding the total support provided to both the Hungarian Ice Hockey Federation and the Hungarian Water Polo Federation. This total TAO funding represents approximately 1.6 percent of Hungary's projected 2025 GDP.

Looking toward the 2027 budget, the Hungaroring Formula 1 circuit is slated to receive 20 billion forints in state support for both 2026 and 2027. Meanwhile, funding for the MLSZ is projected to rise from 16.3 billion forints this year to 17.3 billion forints in 2027. While support for competitive and Olympic sports is expected to increase significantly, funding for youth development is projected to decrease from 32.4 billion forints in 2026 to 27.6 billion forints in 2027.