Million-Costs for Olympia-Citizen-Votes in NRW - North Rhine-Westphalia Allocates $9.5M for Historic Olympic Referendums
The referendums are scheduled for April 19, 2026. Cities like Cologne and Essen will share the costs with the state, covering 15% of their local expenses. Cologne expects total referendum costs of $2.492 million, with the city paying $373,000. Essen’s referendum is estimated at $1.2 million, with the city contributing $180,000.
The outcome of the April 2026 referendums will determine whether North Rhine-Westphalia proceeds with its Olympic bid. If successful, the state will submit its proposal to the DOSB for consideration. The funding structure ensures both state and city participation in the decision-making process.
