Hamburg Goes for Gold: 2040 Olympic Bid Unveiled with a Spectacular Twist!
Ambitious Olympic Plans Proposed: Senate Advocates for Construction of a Floating Amphitheater on the Alster
Get ready, Hamburg residents! You're in for a thrilling vote in Spring 2026, as the city contends for the 2040 Olympic Games—a second chance, ten years in the making. But the Senate isn't backing down this time, and they've got a game-changer to win you over—the Binnenalster.
Binnenalster: From Calm Lake to Olympic Agora!
Brace yourself for a jaw-dropping transformation! A new PR video showcases the stunning spectacle of the Binnenalster metamorphosing into an Olympic Agora, complete with Corinthian columns and swaying, five-island Olympic rings. A bucolic city square is set to become the world's stage.
With the Senate's grand vision, "City meets Stadium," the Alster could host the opening ceremony and various competitions, such as basketball, archery, and triathlon. Athletes will make their grand entrance via a bridge from the northern shore, while visitors can catch every detail on multimedia screens scattered across the water.
Embracing City and Games: Alster as the Heart of Olympia Hamburg
The Alster isn't just a stage; it's symbolic of Hamburg's commitment to creating a unified and inspiring Olympic experience, blending city and games. Sports Senator Andy Grote (SPD) envisions a vibrant and unforgettable community event where the city becomes an arena and a meeting place for the world.
Ringing in the Referendum: Red-Green Faction Pushes Forward
In preparation for the 2023 Olympic referendum, the SPD and Green parties have teamed up to launch a project that aims to build a solid foundation for decision-making, pushing Hamburg toward Olympic glory. The estimated cost for the project is 2.2 million euros, but it's not a done deal yet; the Citizens' Assembly still needs to give the thumbs-up.
"We're giving it our all," says Juliane Timmermann, deputy chairwoman and sports spokeswoman of the SPD faction. "An Olympic Hamburg is a fantastic opportunity to be a sustainable and inclusive sports city."
A Chance for All: Green Party's Dream for the Olympics
Sina Imhof, chairwoman of the Green Party faction, espouses a vision of an inclusive bid and participation process that will engage the citizens of Hamburg and highlight the opportunities provided by the Olympic and Paralympic Games. "For us, it's crystal clear—the Olympics must be for everyone."
Left Party: Bid Puts Burden on the People
Not everyone is on board with the Olympic plans, however. Martin Wolter, spokesperson for the Left Party, criticizes the 2 million euro preliminary project as just the beginning of what promises to be ruinous spending for the people of Hamburg. Realistic estimates put the cost of the Games at a staggering 12 billion euros—money, according to the Left Party, that could be better spent elsewhere.
Previously, the co-chairwoman of the Left Party, Heike Sudmann, warned of potential rent hikes and financial strain for the majority of Hamburgers, reminding us to consider who truly benefits from hosting the Games.
A Second Four-Year Fight Begins!
With the rejection of Hamburg's 2024 bid, the Senate plans to make 2040 their Olympic year. Let the games begin—again!
Enrichment: Putting Hamburg's Olympic Bid in Context
- Hamburg is currently vying to be the German city selected to bid for the 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Their earlier bid for the 2024 Games was unsuccessful, ultimately awarded to Paris[3][4][5].
- The city actively appealed for the Olympic bid in May and June 2025, promoting the Games with events emphasizing short distances, innovation, and economic dynamism[3].
- Hamburg was chosen over Berlin by the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) to lead Germany’s bid for hosting the 2040 Olympics[5]. An estimated budget of about €7.4 billion (approx. $8.4 billion) has been provisioned for the Games[5].
- Controversies surrounding the bid include substantial budgetary concerns, public skepticism about economic benefits, and internal competition and political considerations within Germany[5].
- The SPD and Green parties, in collaboration for the upcoming 2023 Olympic referendum, have launched a project to create a solid foundation for decision-making, aimed at making Hamburg an inclusive and sustainable sports city, with a focus on policy-and-legislation surrounding the Olympics.
- In the midst of the enthusiastic efforts to secure the 2040 Olympics for Hamburg, concerns about the financial burden and potential economic benefits continue to dominate the political landscape, particularly among the Left Party, who question the wisdom of investing millions of euros into the Olympic bid.
