Munich is fighting for the Olympics: referendum brings the mood to a boil!

Munich is fighting for the Olympics: referendum brings the mood to a boil!

Things are currently simmering in Munich: the dispute over a possible application for the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Summer Olympics has gained momentum. There will be a referendum on October 26, 2025, in which the population of Munich will vote on the planned application. As sueddeutsche.de reports, there are both strong supporters and vehement opponents of this initiative. An alliance called “NOlympia” has actively positioned itself against the application.

Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) sees the Olympic Games as a unique opportunity for the state capital and all of Bavaria. Tokik emphasizes the positive impulses that the Olympics could bring to research, technology and the local economy. The creation of jobs, the revival of tourism and greater support for gastronomy and start-ups are particularly praised. According to Herrmann, the period after the games should be characterized by sustainable investments in infrastructure.

Back to civic sentiment

The referendum has now attracted considerable attention. According to current surveys, around 66 percent of Munich citizens are positive about the application, while 31 percent express concerns. This shows that the city must weigh a variety of opinions and concerns before making a final decision. The city council has also already voted in favor of the application with a large majority, reports [br.de](https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/olympia-in-muenchen-opportunities-buergerentscheid-fahrplan-die-richten-fragen-und- Answeren,UmPqHYf).

The concept for the application aims to use existing sports facilities, with new facilities only being required in a few cases. The concepts must be submitted to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) by May 31st at the latest. The implementation of a referendum is viewed as a warning example of the rejected 2022 Winter Games application from 2013, which the citizens rejected at the time.

Criticism and concerns

As stadt.muenchen.de notes, opponents of the initiative such as the Federation for Nature Conservation and the ÖDP also raise their concerns. They demand that the city first invest in housing and nature conservation before aiming for the Olympic Games. There are also critical voices about the sustainability concepts of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which are viewed as unconvincing.

Another point of controversy is concern about rising costs of living. Opponents argue that the Olympics could result in massive price increases, particularly for housing. State Parliament Vice President Ludwig Hartmann (Greens) emphasizes that the IOC secures tax-free profits while the general public bears possible losses.

However, the Hessians hope that this application will provide a boost to infrastructural development: In addition to the creation of new apartments, numerous projects to expand local public transport are also planned. Herrmann emphasizes that Munich does not have to leave the Olympics to autocratically ruled countries and should design the application in accordance with democratic values.

Specific projects in the city are already being outlined, such as the development of a new, climate-neutral urban district with 4,000 apartments for around 10,000 citizens. It will be interesting to see how the Munich population will vote on the upcoming decision and what direction the city's application will ultimately take.