Snow Sports NZ is benefitting from a shake-up in ski and snowboard funding, with a new International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) revenue-sharing system underway.

FIS will distribute €30 million (around $54M NZD) over three years to its 75 national members - which include Snow Sports NZ - through its new centralised broadcast rights deal, the FIS Media Rights Centralisation Agreement (MRCA).

All member nations receive equal payments, regardless of whether they host World Cup events.

“Everyone gets the same amount - €400,000 [more than $781,000] - and that’s a lot of money, especially for smaller nations,” FIS president Johan Eliasch said.

He highlighted the impact for countries like New Zealand and Greece, which have traditionally not received commercial revenue due to their limited hosting opportunities.

“Before, if you didn’t host events, you didn’t get anything,” Johan said. “Now, everyone benefits just by being a member. That’s a big change.”

Snow Sports NZ has already received the first of three FIS MRCA payments, with the final instalment due in the 2026/27 season. 

“Once the FIS MRCA comes into effect in 2026/27 Snow Sports NZ is excited at the potential benefits that the MRCA will return,” Snow Sports NZ CEO Nic Cavanagh said.

He noted that while no details about future MRCA profits or their distribution had been released, the organisation was hopeful the centralised system would deliver greater returns for FIS, which could be shared among the 75 members.

Another change set to have benefits in New Zealand is the recent vote by FIS council members in favour of an increase of up to 20 percent in prize money for FIS World Cup events across all disciplines.

Ten percent of the additional prize money will be guaranteed by FIS and the additional 10 percent is on a voluntary basis for each local organising committee.

“This increase will directly impact New Zealand snow sports athletes who receive World Cup prize money from the start of the 2025/26 season,” Nic said.

PHOTO: Supplied