Munich in Olympic fever: Citizens decide on the 2036 Games!

Munich in Olympic fever: Citizens decide on the 2036 Games!

On October 26, 2025 the time has come: the citizens of Munich are asked whether the city should apply to host the Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games from 2036. The Free State of Bavaria is behind this initiative and sees the games as a great opportunity to modernize and expand the city's infrastructure. Particular attention is paid to sustainable urban development and environmental and climate protection, as stmas.bayern.de reports.

But what does this actually mean for the city? In addition to modernizing transport routes and living space, social cohesion is also being strengthened. Minister Ulrike Scharf emphasizes that the Olympic and Paralympic Games not only embody sporting ambition, but also focus on the values ​​of fairness and inclusion. The Paralympics in particular impressively show how sport can overcome barriers and enable participation.

The role of volunteers

Volunteers are the heart of every large event. Your support will also be crucial in the event of the Olympic Games. How else could it be possible to organize and hold such a sports festival? A strong community behind the application could make the difference.

Financially, the city has already taken steps to reduce application costs. Thanks to a new guideline from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the costs were reduced from the original 30 to 40 million euros to an estimated 5 to 8 million euros, as the Munich Olympic bid website explains. Almost a good deal - the federal government and the Free State of Bavaria have signaled their willingness to provide financial support, which further eases the burden on the application.

The financial side of the games

But what about the costs after the application? These are divided into two large areas: the event costs, which are covered by the organizing committee, and the costs for urban development projects that do not fall within the committee's remit. The latter can be invested in the long term and bring lasting benefits for Munich, especially in the areas of settlement development, mobility and the environment.

A look at the past shows that although the Olympic Games often required major financial outlays, the long-term benefits cannot be ignored. For example, a study by the Austrian Institute for Economic Research makes it clear that the economic effects resulting from major events are often small regionally, but bring with them social and ecological challenges. Statista highlights this and raises the question of how the current debates on the sustainability of the Olympic bid correspond with the experiences of the last decades.

It remains to be seen whether the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris will be a positive example of sustainable implementation. Projects like cleaning up the Seine River for the Olympics could show the direction in which future events should develop. However, one thing is certain: the coming months will be crucial for the future of Munich.