Munich faces a decision: Olympic Games or environmental destruction?

Munich faces a decision: Olympic Games or environmental destruction?

There is tense hype in Munich surrounding the possible application for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036, 2040 or 2044. Today, October 26, 2025, over 1.1 million Munich residents are called upon to cast their votes and vote on the application. The result could be groundbreaking for urban development and the sports landscape in Bavaria. The proponents, led by Mayor Dieter Reiter, rely on realistic arguments that promise positive urban development through the expansion of local transport and the construction of around 4,000 apartments in the Olympic Village. Among other things, it is proposed to reuse existing sports facilities from the 1972 Olympic Games, including the Olympic Stadium and the Olympic Hall, which Prime Minister Markus Söder also considers sensible, as hardly any new buildings are necessary.

But there are also loud critics. The “NOlympia Munich” alliance warns of possible sealing of areas and the risks that could be associated with increased rent and land prices. Environmental concerns also play a central role in the arguments of opponents, who also point to the non-transparent contractual relationships with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Green politician Ludwig Hartmann expressed concern about “gag contracts” that leave profits with the IOC and place the financial burden on the general public. The decision now ultimately lies in the hands of the citizens of Munich, and according to Reiter, broad social support is needed to push the application forward. This could also become the basis for a nationwide comparison with other applicant regions such as Hamburg, Berlin and the Rhine-Ruhr area.

Citizens' decision and its implications

The referendum will take place this Saturday and will be accompanied by an intensive debate. What is particularly exciting is that a citizens' referendum is also planned for May 2026 in other cities such as Hamburg. The focus is on citizen participation, which is already being launched in the port city as part of a dialogue series with workshops and events. A sign that the Olympic bid in Germany also wants to be designed depending on public opinion. In Hamburg, for example, events have been initiated to give the population a say, while in Berlin there is no official referendum in order to position the games as a symbol of peace and democracy.

The question remains: What can the games mean for Munich? Proponents hope for lasting benefits, with a study by Deutsche Bahn showing that local public transport brings three times as many benefits as it costs. On the other hand, skeptical voices point to the exploding costs of the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, which have risen from the originally planned 2.4 billion to the current 6.6 billion euros. These concerns about incalculable costs and gentrification seem to be omnipresent in the cityscape of German cities.

• Befürworter: Oberbürgermeister Dieter Reiter, CSU-Ministerpräsident Markus Söder, Grüne im Landtag
• Gegner: Bündnis „NOlympia“, Bund Naturschutz, Die Linke, ÖDP
• Geplante Sportstätten: Olympiastadion, Olympiahalle, Olympiapark, Regattastrecke in Oberschleißheim, Reitanlage in Riem

In the end, the decision will depend on the people of Munich themselves and will shape the start of the development and design of the Olympic bid. Both the opportunities and the risks will be increasingly discussed in the coming weeks and months, while the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) would like to clarify by September 2026 at the latest which city can apply to the IOC for the Olympic Games.

Not only Munich is at a turning point, but the whole of Germany is catching the Olympic fever. So it will be exciting to see how the discussions develop and which path is ultimately taken. One thing is certain: dialogue with citizens is essential!