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The 2026 Winter Olympics have officially ended allowing a number of athletes to return home for event payouts. Those competitors that racked up medals may cash in after the Games.
Many countries provide financial incentive for strong performance. Others may offer luxuries like cars, housing, or jewelry.
Then, there are those that cover training costs related to Olympic preparations. While it’s not a reward that’s tangible, it’s notable, nonetheless.
How much did top performers pay to Winter Olympics athletes?
Here, we’ll take a look at the top nine countries in terms of overall medal count. We’ve done our best to total up athlete payouts based on pay scales provided prior to Olympic competition.
While this list may not be exact, it should give a ballpark number for each nation listed. It’s not entirely clear if team sports pay each athlete the specified medal prize, or if one lump sum is spread throughout to team members.
For our calculations, we’ve looked at medal wins, determined whether or not those victories were in individual or team competition, and estimated total payouts with all representatives accounted for.
We’ll go in ascending order based on medal count. The top performer is nowhere near the top of the list in total payouts. Let’s dive in.
9. The Netherlands
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Medals: 20
Payout: $722,414
The Netherlands won 20 medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. That included 10 golds, which ranked third at the Games.
There were also seven silvers and three bronzes. Payout structure for the country is as follows:
- Gold: $35,674
- Silver: $17,838
- Bronze: $8.920
After totaling up each of those medal finishes, two of which were in team events, the overall total came to more than $722K.
8. Canada
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Medals: 21
Payout: $1,293,193
Canada finished eighth in the overall medal count with 21. Included in that number were nine bronzes, which ranked fourth in the Olympic field.
The North American country also won five golds and seven silvers to post a strong overall showing. They excelled in team sports, which accounted for eight of their 21 triumphs.
Canada’s payout structure is as follows:
- G: $18,369
- S: $14,695
- B: $11, 023
The team dominance increased overall payouts, particularly a pair of silver medals in hockey – teams which boast rosters of more than 20 athletes.
The country’s total payout came to almost $1.3 million.
T-6. Switzerland
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Medals: 23
Payout: $2,827,909
Switzerland tied for sixth at the 2026 Winter Olympics with 23 medals. Those were spread out relatively evenly with six golds, nine silvers, and eight bronzes.
The country dominated alpine skiing where it racked up nine medals (4 gold). It was also well represented in freestyle ski.
The Swiss payout structure is below.
- G: $64,854
- S: $51,889
- B: $38,917
Those athlete payouts are much higher than the two countries previously mentioned, resulting in a total sum of $2.8 million.
T-6. France
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Medals: 23
Payout: $2,540,993
France tied Switzerland in terms of overall medal count at 23. It gets a bit of a nod in the standings due to gold medal wins.
The country landed eight golds, nine silvers, and six bronzes. Biathlon was a particularly strong event with 13 medal winners.
The payout structure is as follows:
- G: $94,990
- S: $47,495
- B: $23,749
Another high payer, French athletes will enjoy a total Winter Olympic payout of more than $2.5 million.
5. Japan
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Medals: 24
Payout: $565,000
Japan does not pay as highly as the last two countries mentioned, leaving their total much less than France and Switzerland despite higher representation at the podium.
The country won five golds, seven silvers, and 12 bronzes. That bronze medal count was second in the Olympic field.
The payout structure for Japan is below.
- G: $33,000
- S: $13,000
- B: $7,000
Snowboarders and figure skaters carried the nation. As a result, those competitors will benefit the most from the $565k payout.
4. Germany
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Medals: 26
Payout: $1,259,850
Germany posted a strong performance with 26 total medals, ranking fourth at the Winter Olympics in Italy. That included eight golds, 10 silvers, and eight bronzes.
The country was best in skeleton, luge, and bobsleigh, where it racked up a combined 20 Top 3 finishes. The payout structure can be found below.
- G: $35,674
- S: $23,747
- B: $11,892
Many of Germany’s wins came in team events, boosting the total to $1.2 million.
3. Italy
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Medals: 30
Payout: $8,392,876
Italy showed out as the host nation, posting 30 finishes at the podium. Those included a field-high 14 bronzes to go along with 10 golds and six silvers.
Not only did athletes succeed in their events, but the country’s payout is one of the highest at the Olympics. Those totals are as follows:
- G: $209,804
- S: $104,924
- B: $69,946
Italy’s bronze medal finishers are paid double that of gold medal winners in recently mentioned Germany and Japan. That, combined with a number of team wins, puts the nation at the top of this list in terms of overall payout with $8.4 million.
2. USA
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Medals: 33
Payout: $3,480,000
The United States ranked second in both gold medals and overall count. Athletes, however, will not come close to matching Italy’s earnings.
A large majority of the US wins came in individual events, though both hockey teams won gold to inflate the overall payout.
The structure is listed below:
- G: $37,500
- S: $22,500
- B: $15,000
US athletes will be the beneficiaries of a $3.5 million payday when they return home from Milan Cortina.
1. Norway
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Medals: 41
Payout: $0
As is often the case at the Winter Olympics, Norway dominated in both gold medal victories and overall medal count. The nation racked up a total of 41 Top 3 finishes, included 18 golds to pace the field.
The country was best in cross country ski and the biathlon events, with those athletes accounting for 25 medals. Unfortunately, they will not be paid for those triumphs.
Norway does not pay cash prizes for Olympic medal finishes. Instead, athletes receive a stipend for financial support.
Norway, which boasts the most medals in Winter Games history, does not award cash bonuses for podium finishes. Instead, athletes who continue competing may qualify for financial support from the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee. The stipend is worth roughly 160,000 Norwegian kroner per year ($16,831) and includes access to professional training and medical services.
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As a result, the country has the lowest payout on this list despite bringing home the most medals at the Winter Olympics.