Armenia’s draft 2027 state budget allocates 12.92 billion drams to sports development, a 134.8% increase compared with 2026, Education, Science, Culture and Sports Minister Zhanna Andreasyan said.
Presenting the draft budget at a joint meeting of parliamentary committees, Andreasyan said actual government spending on sports doubled between 2021 and 2025, reaching 8.4 billion drams, Auroranews.am reports.
The minister highlighted plans to expand access to sports for children in Armenia’s regions. An existing programme offering free swimming lessons at private pools will be extended to include skiing and shooting, with instruction fully funded by the state.
School sports tournaments held under the prime minister’s patronage will also continue.
The draft budget provides 4.9 billion drams for sports infrastructure, including construction and renovation work at eight facilities and the preparation of design documentation for another ten.
A further 2.47 billion drams is earmarked for rewarding high-achieving athletes and supporting preparations for the Olympic Games. Monthly financial assistance to athletes with outstanding results will continue.
Armenia is also preparing to host several major international sporting events in 2027.
The 10th International Francophone Games will take place from July 23 to August 1, with around 50 countries expected to participate. Yerevan will host a conference of culture ministers from Francophone countries ahead of the Games, while the Pan-Armenian Games will begin shortly afterward.
Other scheduled competitions include the European Karate Championships for cadets, juniors and under-21 athletes in winter, the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in spring and the World Weightlifting Championships in autumn.
Officials are also considering bids to host the European Boxing Championships for older junior athletes, the World DanceSport Championships and the European Under-18 Beach Volleyball Championships.
