Sports Minister to Citizens' Vote: "Back Every Bid" - Germany's Olympic Bid: Four Cities Vie for 2036, 2040, or 2044 Games
Germany is gearing up for a significant decision in its Olympic bid. Following local referendums, an extraordinary meeting in September 2026 will determine which city or region—Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, or the Rhein-Ruhr area—will apply internationally to host the Games. The sports ministers have already praised the bids from all four cities as 'very, very convincing concepts'.
The process to select a German host involves several steps. Munich citizens will vote on October 26, 2025, while the Rhein-Ruhr area will hold a referendum in April 2026. By June 2026, each bidding city will have gathered its population's opinion, paving the way for a decision on a German bid in the fall of the same year. The targeted years for the German bid are 2036, 2040, or 2044.
The goal of the German Olympic bid is twofold. Firstly, it aims to inspire young people to engage in sports. Studies show alarming trends, with around 75% of young people moving less than the recommended 60 minutes a day. Secondly, the bid seeks to discover future athletic talent. To tackle the inactivity issue, a national action plan will be developed and discussed at the next Conference of Sports Ministers in March 2026.
The German cities of Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and the Rhine-Ruhr region have shown strong interest in hosting the Olympics. With the support of the sports ministers and a clear process in place, Germany is poised to make a compelling bid for the international stage. The ultimate decision, however, lies with the citizens of the bidding cities and the extraordinary meeting in September 2026.
