Facts & Questions

Germany faces challenges and profound changes. The overarching question is: How do we make our country future-proof? From sports, we want and can provide an answer to increasing polarization, division, and major future questions that excites and unites everyone. The Olympic flame can be the spark for a positive future narrative. A sign of new beginnings and optimism. Germany's future: Fit through the Olympics.

Here you can find everything about the vision of the German Olympic bid.

Germany is eyeing the Summer Games in 2036, 2040, and 2044. A binding decision on the year is not yet required.

In May 2025, Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and the Rhine-Ruhr region submitted their bid concepts to the DOSB. The DOSB is now reviewing these concepts in several stages. The final decision on the German candidate will be made by an Extraordinary DOSB General Assembly in autumn 2026.

Before this decision, the DOSB enters the IOC's international bidding process, which has been fundamentally reformed in recent years. In a multi-stage dialogue process, the DOSB works in partnership with the IOC. The timing for awarding the 2036 Games and beyond is not yet set.

Since the start of the bidding process, the DOSB has focused on dialogue and participation—locally, online, and especially on social media. Until June 2026, the four cities/regions can conduct citizen surveys: Munich starts on October 26, 2025, NRW and Hamburg follow in spring 2026. Berlin plans a participation process ending with a contract with the city society.

On our supporter-page, you will find out how you can support the German bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Also, follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter to not miss anything. The important thing is to be for it.

Not only can they be, but they must be. Sustainability in its three dimensions—ecological, social, and economic—is now a requirement of the IOC. The Games in Paris last year were the first to commit to this goal—and achieved a lot:

Ecological:

• CO2 emissions were more than halved compared to the Games in London 2012 and Rio 2016.
• The competitions took place almost exclusively in existing or temporary sports venues. Only one new venue was built: the swimming hall, which now benefits the suburb of Saint Denis.
• Almost 100% of the electricity came from renewable sources.

Social:

• Paris 2024 was the first Games with full gender parity: 50/50.
• The Olympic Village: A new residential district with 2,800 apartments for 6,000 people is being built here, 25% of which will be social housing.
• 30 minutes of daily exercise were introduced in 36,500 French primary schools; 36,800 sports kits were acquired for schools.

Economic:

• The Games created 181,000 new jobs in construction, tourism, and organization.
• The Games generated between 6.9 and 11.1 billion euros in economic output in the Greater Paris area.
• More than 80% of the contracts were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises from France.

Of course, we do not yet know how the world will look in ten to twenty years, what possibilities we will have to minimize the footprint of such a large event as the Olympics and maximize the positive impact. Our claim is clear: If the Olympic and Paralympic Games are to be held in Germany, then only to the highest standards in all areas of sustainability.

By the way: Not only must the Olympic and Paralympic Games be sustainable, but they should also be. Therefore, the DOSB, together with the German Sport University Cologne (DSHS) and the Ökoinstitut e.V., offers a web portal that provides sports organizers with targeted solutions to make events more sustainable—whether it's an international major event or a local sports festival.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games vividly demonstrate that without a strong foundation in grassroots sports, elite sports in this form would not be possible. Through the Olympics, all sports in Germany can sustainably benefit from new impulses, enthusiasm, and investments.

Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in one's own country inspires young athletes, increases the popularity of sports, and sparks interest in physical activity. Even before Paris 2024, it was evident how effective this can be: millions of children benefited from new movement programs in schools, numerous sports facilities were modernized, and many clubs saw membership increases.

The host role also pays off athletically: France surpassed its previous medal record in 2024 and doubled its medal haul compared to previous Games. The home advantage, but especially targeted investments in athlete development, pays off.

Yes, the Olympic and Paralympic Games cost money. That's why it's important to transparently distinguish which costs are borne by whom and how investments can be refinanced.

Bidding Costs
Previously, bidding costs ranged from 30 to 40 million euros. Due to IOC reforms, they have significantly decreased. They are jointly financed by the federal government, municipalities, and regions, with additional contributions from sponsors.

Operational Costs (OCOG Budget)
The operational costs of the Paris 2024 Games were about 4.3 billion euros. Remarkably, 95% of this amount was covered by private revenues such as ticket sales, sponsorships, and TV rights. In Germany, event costs could largely be financed from such secured revenues. Public funds would only be used for security and medical services. In Paris, the organizing committee even generated a profit of 72 million euros, which flows into French grassroots and elite sports. A balanced operational budget is the minimum goal for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Germany, regardless of the host city.

Infrastructure Investments (NON-OCOG Budget)
These involve infrastructural investments made possible by the Olympics—not for the Games themselves—such as housing, public transport, sports facilities, or digital infrastructure. In Paris, these costs were about 4.5 billion euros, half of which was privately financed. Germany consciously relies on existing structures and modernizations in a potential bid, ensuring investments bring long-term benefits for all in areas like transportation, climate protection, digitization, or new housing.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games in Germany are an investment in the future with clear financing models and long-term benefits for society and sports.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games can act as a catalyst for important urban development projects in many areas. An athletes' village can later serve as housing. Investments in public transport, sports infrastructure, or digitization can sustainably improve the lives of the population. Paris 2024 provided remarkable examples of how a city can develop through the dynamics of the Games: from cleaning the Seine, now inviting with several bathing spots, to expanding the cycling network and building 275 new swimming pools across France.

Concerns that the Olympic Games automatically lead to rising rents or social displacement are unfounded. Experiences from cities like Sydney and London show that property prices can rise when new sports facilities or urban developments increase neighborhood attractiveness. At the same time, there are examples like Atlanta or Los Angeles, where housing prices remained stable or even decreased. The impact on housing depends on urban planning, the reuse of buildings, and targeted measures like social housing. With smart planning, the Olympic Games can sustainably enhance housing without displacing residents.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is a central and reliable partner for us. Together, we are committed to the values of the Olympic Movement: excellence, respect, and friendship.

Of course, collaborating on such a complex major event as the Olympic Games also brings challenges. Criticisms from the past, such as the much-cited "binding contracts," are a thing of the past: the IOC no longer demands unlimited financial guarantees from hosts. At the same time, it protects the rights of its partners, as is common with other international major sporting events. The key remains: the DOSB is in open, constructive dialogue and brings the interests of Sport Germany to the table.

In recent years, the IOC has implemented important reforms: Agenda 2020 and Agenda 2020+5 make the Games more sustainable, transparent, and flexible. The philosophy is: the Games adapt to the host, not the host to the Games. This includes the increased use of existing infrastructure, the promotion of good governance, and a focus on social responsibility.