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Munich Wins Germany’s 2036 Olympic Bid Selection

By Drooid · Sep 26, 2026, 10:30 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Munich Olympic Bid

German Olympic Committee (DOSB) selected Munich as Germany’s national candidate for future Summer Games.
The secret ballot recorded 141 votes, with Munich winning in the first round.
A October 2025 referendum showed 66.4 percent support for the Munich bid.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced the decision in Baden-Baden, calling it a huge opportunity.
The IOC will start Strategic Dialogue in March 2027, with final host selection slated for mid-2029.

Summary

Wegner Laments Bid

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner called the Olympic bid withdrawal “a sad day for Berlin” at a press conference.
Left Party’s Elif Eralp, set to become mayor, called the bid “a waste of taxpayer money.”
Olympic Commissioner Kaweh Niroomand said Eralp’s rapid decision created “immense uncertainty” for sports federations.
Hamburg withdrew its bid in May, leaving Munich and Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr as Germany’s only remaining contenders.

History

Historical Context

In 1966 the IOC awarded the 1972 Summer Games to Munich, giving West Germany its first post-war Olympic host role and following Berlin’s 1936 Games. Held 26 August–11 September 1972, the Olympics cost about US$1 billion (?1.1 billion DM) and were shattered by the Black September attack that killed 11 Israeli athletes. The tragedy’s political and fiscal legacy still guides Germany’s bid strategy.

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Munich Olympic Bid

German Olympic Committee (DOSB) selected Munich as Germany’s national candidate for future Summer Games.
The secret ballot recorded 141 votes, with Munich winning in the first round.
A October 2025 referendum showed 66.4 percent support for the Munich bid.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced the decision in Baden-Baden, calling it a huge opportunity.
The IOC will start Strategic Dialogue in March 2027, with final host selection slated for mid-2029.

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