In total, the Athens Games have a budget of some 1.7 billion euros, of which 234 million euros will be covered by the Greek government. The majority will be financed by sale of broadcasting rights and by sponsorship, licensing and ticket sales. Television networks, vying for the opportunity to broadcast to the four billion viewers worldwide who will watch the events, are expected to pay in the region of 800 million euros. Agreements have already been signed with major networks, including one with the NBC of the US for television rights, which will provide more than half of total revenues from broadcasting rights. NBC has paid instalments of 58.3 million euros.
Sponsorship also represents a significant portion of the funding for the games.
A pledge by Alpha Bank of almost 70 million euros represents the largest amount given by any national sponsor to an organising committee and is exactly double the amount contributed by Sydney's banking sponsor. Other national sponsors include the state telecom company OTE , which has committed 50 million euros, and Athinaiki Brewery, which has committed 16.5 million euros, three times the amount donated by the Sydney brewery sponsor.