Overview

• Munich leaders unveiled a campaign for the 26 October referendum on an Olympic bid, with a roughly €5 million budget split between communication and technical execution and mail-in ballots sent with voter notices.
• The Munich concept emphasizes reusing 1972 venues, including the Olympic Stadium for ceremonies and athletics, with only temporary facilities where needed such as a compliant swimming pool.
• Critics, including BUND and Green politician Ludwig Hartmann, dispute sustainability claims and warn of cost risks, housing pressures and an IOC model they say privatizes gains while socializing losses.
• Hamburg named former federal sport official Steffen Rülke to lead its bid effort, with a local referendum planned for late May 2026 and Rülke calling the city the strongest German contender.
• Kiel set 19 April 2026 for a citizen vote on hosting Olympic sailing, with the exact question still to be finalized with the state, as Munich, Hamburg, Berlin and Rhein-Ruhr compete for national backing.