North Rhine-Westphalia to Launch a Survey for Olympic Citizens - Aquatic Activities at Schalke
North Rhine-Westphalia Pursues Ambitious Olympic Bid with Record Spectator Count
Cologne, Germany - North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) has embarked on an Olympic bid for either the 2036, 2040, or 2044 Games, aiming to capitalize on its status as Germany's most populous state to attract a record-breaking 10 million spectators.
Led by Minister President Hendrik Wüst (CDU), the bid concept was recently presented to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), along with city leaders. Wüst believes that NRW offers the ideal location for the Games, citing the extensive infrastructure along the Rhine and Ruhr regions.
NRW has also confirmed its intention to meet the DOSB's request for a public opinion poll, emphasizing the importance of community support for hosting the event. Wüst expressed confidence in the approval of the public, counting on their support to stage the Games successfully.
Compared to other German cities vying for the bid, such as Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich, NRW aspires to attract a high number of visitors with its extensive sports facilities. The swimming competitions are planned to take place in the Schalke football stadium in Gelsenkirchen, with a capacity to accommodate 60,000 spectators.
Furthermore, the organizers intend to set records for spectator attendance during the final games of handball, basketball, and volleyball at the Düsseldorf football stadium. Other potential venues include stadiums in Dortmund, Cologne, Leverkusen, Mönchengladbach (for hockey), and multifunctional arenas in Cologne and Düsseldorf, typically used for ice hockey and handball.
Limited details have been revealed about any potential temporary stadiums, but it is known that an Olympic village would be adjacent to the athletics competition venue, which will be purpose-built for the Games. Cologne or Essen are under consideration as potential sites for the temporary stadium. Post-Games, the Olympic village is planned for repurposing as a city quarter with both residential and commercial space.
A final decision on Germany's bidder is expected by autumn 2026. It remains unclear whether the German umbrella organization will bid for the 2036, 2040, or 2044 Games. The last Olympic Games in Germany took place in Munich in 1972, and, following a city council decision, Munich is also in the running for the bid. The bid process is being overseen by the DOSB, evaluating proposals from several regions, including Berlin, Hamburg, Leipzig, and Hamburg. The DOSB aims to select a bidder by the end of September, with a presentation at the DOSB General Assembly scheduled for later in the year.
Engaging in their ambitious Olympic bid, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) seeks to attract a vast number of sports enthusiasts with its extensive sports facilities, planning to hold events such as swimming competitions and the final games of handball, basketball, and volleyball. In particular, the Schalke football stadium in Gelsenkirchen and the Düsseldorf football stadium are anticipated to host these sports events, having the capacity to accommodate tens of thousands of spectators.
