Comparative assessment of financing mechanisms for sports infrastructure and their impact on accessibility of facilities for the population of Moscow and the Moscow region

Abstract

The article is devoted to a comparative analysis of the mechanisms of financing sports infrastructure in Moscow and the Moscow region and their impact on the accessibility of facilities for the population. The introduction substantiates the urgency of the problem related to the growing demand for sports facilities and the need for a balance between financial efficiency and social accessibility, especially for vulnerable groups. The research methodology includes a comparative analysis of the prevailing financing models: traditional government (dominant in Moscow), public-private partnership (PPP, actively used in the Moscow region) and private investment. The factors influencing the choice of the model are considered, such as the cost of land, building density, budgetary possibilities of the regions and the investment climate. The main results of the study reveal significant differences between regions. Moscow, with its powerful budget, ensures a more even distribution of facilities (including the modernization of old ones), but faces the problem of high land costs and commercialization. The Moscow region, actively using PPP and private investment to create multifunctional complexes, is facing problems of profitability in remote areas and transport accessibility. The key conclusion is that no model automatically guarantees high social accessibility: private financing and PPPs often lead to commercial tariffs that restrict access for low-income citizens, even with preferential programs whose effectiveness is ambiguous. In addition to the financing model, pricing policy (benefits, subsidies), transport infrastructure, and the regulatory framework governing risk allocation and social obligations of investors are important accessibility factors. The discussion highlights the need for an integrated approach combining various financing mechanisms, strengthening government regulation of prices and social quotas (especially in the framework of PPPs and concessions), the development of digital platforms for management and control, as well as active public involvement. It is concluded that in order to increase the accessibility of sports infrastructure in both regions, a balanced policy is required that prioritizes not only profitability and image projects, but also the development of mass sports, including youth and inclusive sports, through targeted budget injections, effective benefit systems and strict control over the fulfillment of social obligations by investors.