Munich hits the front in Germany’s bid for Olympic Games

Article posted by Coliseum, September 24^th, 2026

Image: FIX Visuals im Auftrag der LHM

Munich has emerged as the frontrunner to win the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) vote to represent Germany’s official bid for a future Olympic Games.

DW.com said an official DOSB evaluation commission report graded Munich’s bid the highest, awarding it 87.03 out of 100 points, ahead of Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr (85.02) and Berlin (74.64).

A final vote will be taken by the DOSB on 26 September 2026 with a total of 144 votes up for grabs.

Eligible to vote are Germany’s 42 Olympic sports federations — including those for winter sports — along with the 10-member DOSB Executive Board and eight individual DOSB members. The individual sports federations each hold three votes.

If none of the three bids wins an absolute majority in the first round of voting, the last-placed bid drops out for the second round – meaning a decision will come after no more than two rounds of voting.

Munich ahead of the pack

The motto of Munich’s Olympic bid is “For Games with heart and soul.” The concept focuses on sustainability, with the 1972 Olympic Park serving as the centerpiece.

According to documents published by the bid committee, around 90% of the competition venues are located less than 30 km (18.6 miles) from the Olympic Village.

Most of the venues that would be used already exist, with only a few temporary facilities to be constructed.

In addition to existing infrastructure, other advantages include Munich’s experience in hosting major sporting events and its Olympic legacy from 1972. The organizers aim to offer an alternative model to the pricey Olympic projects of the past.

Political support for the Munich bid is strong. Munich Mayor Dominik Krause said, “In Munich, we have the perfect conditions to host the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Hosting the Olympic Games in Munich would be an investment in the future — not only because of the immense social value but also due to the resulting acceleration of key urban development and infrastructure projects. Munich is ready for the Olympics!”

Munich residents also appear to support the bid. In a city referendum held last October, just over 305,000 residents cast their votes, with 66.4% voting in favor of an Olympic bid.

Leading up to the DOSB decision, Munich has secured major hosting responsibilities—including being awarded future UEFA Champions League finals and World Athletics Championships—reinforcing global trust in the city’s organizational capabilities.

A primary driver of Munich’s favoritism is its stable political backing. The bid enjoys robust, united support from both the CSU-led Bavarian state government and Munich’s city government.

Berlin stutters in the race

In contrast, competing bidder Berlin suffered a severe setback following its recent state election. The ousted CDU-SPD coalition had supported a bid, but the newly dominant Left party and the Greens are staunchly opposed.

This makes Berlin a massive risk for the DOSB, as its bid could collapse politically before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) even makes a final decision.

The prospect of hosting the Games in 2036 has sparked further debate. Critics point to the 1936 Berlin Olympics, which were exploited by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime as a propaganda tool.

Proponents, however, argue that the 2036 Games could showcase the values of a democratic and cosmopolitan Germany.

Berlin’s bid also envisages mainly using existing sports facilities for the Games.

Kaweh Niroomand, Berlin’s Olympic commissioner, said, “Ninety-seven percent of the required sports facilities already exist. Apart from one privately financed arena, we do not need to build any new venues.

“The Games should fit Berlin — not Berlin the Games.”

Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr at a steady pace

DW.com further stated that unlike Munich and Berlin, this third bid encompasses an entire region, featuring numerous venues that are widely dispersed.

Cologne would serve as the “lead city” in the bid that features 15 municipalities in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Cologne would host the Olympic Village and a temporary athletics stadium.

Organizers highlight the fact that all of the venues either already exist or would be temporary and to the fact that 66% of those who voted in lasts April’s referenda in the affected municipalities voted in favor of the bid.

Apart from sustainability, the Rhine-Ruhr region’s dense sports infrastructure is considered a key strength.

A potential drawback is the location of competitions across many cities in Germany’s most densely populated region. Traffic jams are a daily occurrence and many trains run late or are cancelled altogether.

This is just the next step in a long process of deciding who will host the next three Olympic Summer Games. The International Olympic Committee isn’t to decide on who will host the 2036 Olympics until 2029.

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