St. Gallen proposes new sports promotion law for 2028

The government of the Canton of St. Gallen has proposed a new Movement and Sports Promotion Act to modernize the region's legal framework for physical activity. The draft aims to replace the existing legislation from 1974, which officials say no longer meets contemporary needs, particularly as sports participation increasingly occurs outside of traditional club structures.

A key component of the reform is the creation of a cantonal sports fund. The proposal suggests allocating 30 to 35 percent of lottery fund resources to this new fund, which is expected to increase annual funding for sports purposes by approximately 3 million Swiss francs.

The draft will undergo a consultation process involving political parties and associations until November 30, 2026. Following the evaluation of feedback, the Cantonal Council is expected to address the proposal in spring 2027. If the legislative process proceeds as planned, the new law could take effect in January 2028.