Sports Clubs Await Funding: What's Ahead for Children in Sports in 2026?

February 26, 2026 - The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) allocated funds to support children's sports, but it appears that the budgets have been reduced. What exactly does this mean for the future of children who train? Let's see what's happening.

Money for Sports - Less Than Last Year

A total of 143 clubs, involved in 37 different sports, will receive funding from the MYS, amounting to 770,440 euros. The funds are distributed through two programs: "Sports for Children in Their Free Time" with 584,600 euros and "Children and the Sports Club" with 185,840 euros. Interestingly, these sums are smaller than the money the clubs received last year, when 1.520 million leva were allocated (equivalent to about 1.507 million leva at current prices). In addition, fewer clubs have been approved.

For the "Sports for Children in Their Free Time" program, 122 clubs practicing 33 sports have been approved, while in 2025 there were 144 clubs involved in 26 sports. Regarding "Children and the Sports Club," this year 36 clubs practicing 20 sports have been approved, while last year there were 41 clubs practicing 22 sports.

How Much Money Goes to Each Club?

Within the "Sports for Children in Their Free Time" program, which allows nearly 4,900 children in 51 localities to train for free, 216 qualified coaches from 122 clubs will participate. The average amount that each club will receive is about 4792 euros. The amounts vary significantly - from 2900 euros (for the wrestling clubs "Nadezhda" in Oryahovo and the orienteering club "Sini Kamani" in Sliven) to 9300 euros for the CSKA swimming club. Among those who receive the largest funding (over 8000 euros) are also the hockey clubs CSKA (9100 euros), NSA (8300 euros) and "Irbis" (8200 euros), as well as the skating club "Elit" (Sofia, 8500 euros) and the swimming club "Dobrudzha" (8300 euros).

The "Children and the Sports Club" program will be implemented in 20 localities, with 7,336 children expected to participate in various sports events and competitions. The average amount allocated under this program is higher - 5162 euros. The least money is received by the rowing club "Armeec" (2030 euros), and the most - "Max Sport" from Sofia (7400 euros, dealing with Shotokan karate-do).

Clubs that Benefit from Both Programs

Surprisingly, "Armeec" is one of the 15 clubs that have been approved for funding under both programs. This means that the club will receive a total subsidy of 5430 euros. The other 14 clubs with double funding are "Bisons" (Blgr, baseball - a total of 7830 euros); yacht club "Chernomorets" (Bs, sailing - 7630 euros); "Teteven Voley" (volleyball - 9970 euros); "Sparta" (Montana, boxing - 6750 euros); "Krakra" (Pk, judo - 12,820 euros); "Beshkov" (D. Dabnik, dance - 7910 euros); "Atletik" (Pd, wrestling - 9660 euros); "Atlet" (Parvomay, badminton - 10,190 euros); "Rakovski" (Rakovski, wrestling - 9500 euros); "Sini Kamani" (Sliven, orienteering - 5850 euros); "Balkan" (Botgr, boxing - 7700 euros); VIAS (Sf, badminton - 11,500 euros); "Tsanev" (Sf, karate - 11,170 euros); "Ipon" (Sf, Shotokan karate-do - 13,090 euros).

The "Ipon" club has received the largest total subsidy among all 143 clubs. "Krakra" and VIAS are in the Top 3 for funding received, and VIAS and "Atlet" have also received over 10,000 euros, both badminton clubs.

Which Sports are Most Represented?

Most clubs have been approved for funding for volleyball and wrestling - 12 clubs each. They are followed by judo (11), tennis (10), athletics (9), basketball (8), canoeing (7), swimming and boxing (6 each), ice hockey (5), badminton, sambo, karate, Shotokan karate-do and orienteering (4 each), rowing, figure skating and baseball (3 each), football, cycling, biathlon, table tennis, sports dancing, rhythmic gymnastics, taekwondo (2 each) and acrobatics, weightlifting, gymnastics, aeromodelling, aikido, kickboxing, field hockey, trampoline jumping, handball, skiing, fencing and sailing (1 each).

The reduction in funding may have long-term consequences. Will this affect the children's enthusiasm for sports, or will it encourage the search for new solutions? What will be the future of sports in Bulgaria?