Munich votes for the Olympics: record participation and broad support!

Munich votes for the Olympics: record participation and broad support!

A crucial election took place in Munich on October 26, 2025, which could shape the city in the years to come. In the referendum on the application for the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Summer Olympics, a whopping 66.4% of voters voted for the Olympic application. This not only sets the Munich team apart from the other applicants, but also sends a strong signal for the importance of sport in the city. Voter turnout was an impressive 42.0%, which is a record high for referendums in Munich and significantly exceeded the required quorum of 10%. Over 400,000 Munich residents used their right to vote, and there was a majority in favor of the initiative in all 25 city districts, with approval being highest in Allach-Untermenzing at 71.7%.

The positive reactions from sports representatives could not be overlooked. Jörg Ammon, from the Bavarian State Sports Association, and Thomas Weikert, President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), expressed their praise for the result. Weikert described the vote as a sign of the social importance of sport, while DOSB Vice President Otto Fricke would like to see it as a success and as an incentive to support other applicant regions. The political support in the city was also noticeable. Mayor Dieter Reiter, who announced the vote results at 7:18 p.m., and Prime Minister Markus Söder, who emphasized that the results were a “great story,” praised the high voter turnout. Söder also sees the possibility of a unique sporting atmosphere if large numbers of visitors come to Munich during the games.

A strong signal for the Olympic Games

The Munich referendum is seen as a strong signal in the political and sporting landscape. Söder thanked not only the city, but also the Munich City Hall Greens for their support. “The people show sympathy and joy of life,” he continued, emphasizing that Munich is a leader in terms of sports facilities compared to other German applicants. “We don’t need any new large construction projects; we can upgrade existing facilities,” said Söder.

Opponents of the Olympic bid, led by Ludwig Hartmann of the Green Party, respect the result but continue to raise concerns about costs and sustainable development. Hartmann spoke of a “David versus Goliath battle” and emphasized that despite the positive vote result, questions remain about financial responsibility and ecological compatibility.Merkur

The path to the final decision

However, the final decision on the application for the Olympic Games will not be made until autumn 2026, when the DOSB general meeting meets. Until then, the result of the referendum will certainly continue to be discussed. Munich will have to prove itself in a competition with other cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and the Rhine-Ruhr region. The coming months therefore offer a lot of room for speculation and preparation.Süddeutsche Tagesschau