Berlin, Hamburg, and the Rhine-Ruhr region have also expressed interest in hosting the Games.
All European Union citizens who have had Munich as their primary residence for at least two months and are at least 18 years old by October 26, 2025, will be eligible to vote. Around 1.1 million people can participate in the referendum, and a minimum turnout of 10 percent is required for the result to be valid. Voters will be asked whether they support Munich’s bid to host the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036, 2040, or 2044.
Public opinion remains divided. A survey conducted by YouGov for the DPA news agency showed that 48 percent of respondents supported the bid, while 32 percent opposed it. Around 21 percent expressed no clear preference.
Supporters describe the event as “Games with Heart and Soul,” emphasizing sustainability and short travel distances. Ninety percent of the venues are within 30 kilometers of the planned Olympic Village in the northeast of Munich. Most facilities already exist, and only a few would need to be built from scratch. Proponents argue that the Games would benefit the economy, infrastructure, housing, and Germany’s international image.
Opponents believe the project would be too costly. Experts from the Technical University of Munich estimate expenses between 18 and 21 billion euros, and critics warn that unforeseen factors, such as heightened security needs, could drive costs even higher. Concerns have also been raised about rising housing prices and potential environmental damage, particularly in the Tegernsee region where a mountain bike course is planned.
Bavarian Premier Markus Söder said that if the Munich bid fails, it would likely discourage other German cities from trying. A positive result, on the other hand, would strengthen Germany’s Olympic ambitions.
Even if Munich voters reject the proposal, the German Olympic Sports Confederation plans to continue its efforts to bring the Games to Germany. Hamburg, Rhine-Ruhr, and Kiel will hold their own referendums next year, while Berlin intends to launch a petition to support its bid. The Confederation will decide which city to nominate by the autumn of 2026. The International Olympic Committee has not yet announced when it will choose the hosts for the 2036, 2040, and 2044 Games.
