Munich loses 700,000 euros: Champions League final without bed tax!

Munich loses 700,000 euros: Champions League final without bed tax!

The Champions League final on May 31, 2025 in Munich's Allianz Arena was not only a sporting highlight, but also a big celebration for the city. With over 75,000 fans watching the spectacle live and around 90,000 overnight guests from all over the world, Munich became the scene of an international football celebration. The marketing effect is estimated at up to 500 million TV viewers, which put the city in the right light. But while there was great enthusiasm, there were also downsides. The city is missing more than 700,000 euros in revenue because the CSU-led state government has banned the introduction of an overnight stay tax, it is reported tz.de.

How did this financial dilemma arise? Although the tournament would generate an estimated turnover of 46.2 million euros for the city, a large part of this income remains hidden from the city treasury due to the ban on overnight stay tax. The SPD leader Christian Köning expressed concern about the loss - with the Champions League final, the city was not only a center for football, but also an economic highlight.

The dispute over the distribution of income

The SPD parliamentary group in Munich criticizes the fact that the costs of hosting the final, amounting to over 700,000 euros for security forces, public transport services and organization, have to be borne by the city. At the same time, the income flows primarily to UEFA and private companies. This imbalance is a red flag for the city, which is trying to distribute the burdens and profits fairly.

The introduction of an overnight stay tax would have brought the city significant income, and not just from the Champions League final. As early as 2022, the city planned a levy of 5% on overnight stays, which should have brought in annual revenue of 60 to 80 million euros. The state parliament's ban on this bed tax was based on concerns that it would have a negative impact on tourism figures. However, in other federal states there are bed taxes without a decrease in the number of overnight stays, such as spd-rathausmuenchen.de reported.

Dieter Reiter, Mayor of Munich, has clearly spoken out against the state government's decision and calls for local self-government to be treated respectfully. Other Bavarian municipalities, including Bamberg, have also joined Munich's lawsuit against the ban at the Constitutional Court.

A positive event with financial disadvantages

The Champions League final was a true celebration for the city and its guests, with two large fan zones at Königsplatz and Odeonsplatz as well as a Champions Festival in the Olympiapark. The willingness of foreign guests to pay was high due to the shortage of tickets and the high ticket prices. Nevertheless, the fact remains that the city has suffered a significant loss due to the missed accommodation tax revenue of over half a million euros.

In recent days, the SPD leadership has increasingly advocated for a change in the accommodation tax to ensure that future major events also benefit the city financially. The question arises as to whether and how the city can compensate financially for the enormous expenses and the loss of potential income.

In summary, it can be said that Munich has a good hand when it comes to hosting large events. But the challenge will be to make these events fair for the city and its citizens in the future so that everyone can benefit from the large crowds.

For more information about the marketing impact of the event, you can visit the website nachrichten-muenchen.com visit.