Munich votes: Olympic Games 2036 – overwhelming approval!

Munich votes: Olympic Games 2036 – overwhelming approval!

Things are currently high in Munich, and not just because of the football games in the Allianz Arena. On Sunday, October 26, 2025, the people of Munich voted on a possible bid for the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Summer Olympics. The results speak for themselves: over 66% of participants, with a record voter turnout of 42%, support the application. A strong signal, as emphasized not only by Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD), but also by Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU), who described the referendum as a “great success”. Loud daily news Almost 400,000 Munich residents cast their votes, which underlines the overall dynamic of the Olympic debate in the city.

The citizen survey not only shows broad support, but also a strong interest from the population in the Olympic bid. “The expression of our citizens’ opinions is a clear sign of the sporting spirit of this city,” said Reiter after the vote at 7:18 p.m. This support could help Munich put one of many failed bids in the past, such as in 2018 or 2024, behind it. By September 2026, the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) will decide which city will go into the international race.

What's next?

However, the path to the final application is riddled with challenges. Cities like Hamburg and the Rhine-Ruhr region are also planning to survey their citizens, while Berlin has no plans to make a corresponding decision. Munich, which has already invested around eight million euros in its Olympic bid, could benefit from the promised funding for local transport and housing construction. However, critics warn of the expected high costs and are calling for better investment in local projects instead of pouring tax money into the Olympic bid.

The Olympics are undoubtedly a great opportunity. Bavaria already has many competition venues that just need to be modernized. Nevertheless, the question remains whether the city can overcome the financial and infrastructural challenges in the long term. The exact forecasts for the costs of the games also remain unclear, as studies by well-known universities show that they often exceed the original estimates.

Looking into the future

The Olympic bid is not just about sport, but also about urban development. A planned Olympic village in northeast Munich could provide a new home for over 10,000 people after the Games. It becomes clear here that the city's ambitions go far beyond sport and that the focus is on sustainable urban development. While there is strong support for the application from the population, critics such as Green Party politician Ludwig Hartmann warn that every cent of taxpayer money should be spent carefully.

On Monday, October 27, 2025, ARD will be on the show "Have your say! Germany is discussing" from 8:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. will address these topics. The population can expect an exciting discussion that opens the next chapter in the rich history of Munich's Olympic bids.