The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has confirmed a 10% increase in the minimum prize money required at all World Cup events for the 2025–26 season. The change will apply across all disciplines and continues the organization’s commitment to equal payouts for male and female athletes.
Under current FIS rules, Alpine World Cup organizers must provide a minimum prize purse of CHF 144,000 (approximately USD $177,716), which is shared among the top 30 finishers. First place typically receives CHF 47,000—a slightly reduced figure from the former CHF 50,000 to allow for more distribution across the field.
With the new adjustment, the minimum prize purse for Alpine races will rise to CHF 172,800 (around USD $213,260), marking a notable boost for athletes across the board.
FIS President Johan Eliasch acknowledged the importance of the move.
“It is clear that we still have a lot to do when it comes to rewarding our athletes as they deserve,” he said. “This is an important step, but only another one in a long way ahead.”
It’s important to note that the increase only applies to FIS-mandated minimums. Many World Cup venues, especially prominent ones, already exceed these amounts significantly.
For example, Austria’s prestigious Hahnenkamm races in Kitzbühel offered over €1 million (USD $1.15 million) in prize money across three men’s events last season—far surpassing the baseline.
Prize money levels often depend on local sponsorships, public funding, and broadcast revenue. Still, FIS’s decision guarantees a stronger minimum payout, especially benefiting smaller or less-publicized competitions.