The Austrian Court of Audit has labeled the financial state of as extremely tense, noting the city cannot cover its 2024 running costs. Debt is projected to hit two billion euros by year-end, rising from 1.52 billion in 2021 to 2.11 billion by 2025.
A budget freeze on new funding began in September 2024 following unplanned disability assistance costs. To stabilize finances, the and Green coalition proposed 55 measures, including cutting political staff and ending free old town tram rides by 2027.
The plan targets 23.1 million euros in improvements by 2028, impacting local sports as Holding Graz ends sponsorships for , GAK, and the 99ers. In protest, the 99ers and SK Sturm recently removed or covered the city name on their official branding.