# Graz Faces Financial Crisis as Debt Hits 2 Billion October 16, 2026 at 02:44 PM > The Austrian Court of Audit warns Graz cannot cover 2024 costs, prompting a budget freeze and cuts to sports sponsorships and transit. The **Austrian Court of Audit** has labeled the financial state of **Graz** 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 **KPÖ** 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 **SK Sturm**, GAK, and the 99ers. In protest, the 99ers and SK Sturm recently removed or covered the city name on their official branding. [#Graz]() [#Austria]() #BudgetCrisis #SKSturm #PublicFinance ## Related news ## [Vienna Records 671 Antisemitic Incidents in 2026]() October 16, 2026 at 06:34 PM ## [Fridays for Future Holds Nationwide Austria Protests]() October 16, 2026 at 05:38 PM ## [Austrian Leaders to Finalize University Budget]() October 16, 2026 at 03:49 PM ## [Austria Mandates SMS Sender ID Registration]() October 16, 2026 at 01:55 PM ## [Austria Reports Record 1.57 Million Firearms]() September 29, 2026 at 07:40 PM