Majority of Berlin residents against Olympics bid

The majority of residents in Berlin don't want the city to bid to host an Olympics Game, according to a survey published on Monday.

In a Civey survey commissioned by the Tagesspiegel newspaper, 67% of the respondents are against a bid for the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Games, while 27% support the plan. Some 6% are undecided.

These results are likely to intensify the debate around the bid, especially after the "NOlympia" alliance announced a referendum, which is set to begin on January 1, 2026.

A possible referendum organized by the government could take place in 2027 at the earliest, therefore only after the German Olympics body DOSB decides on the German candidate for the Games.

The DOSB plans to decide in the third quarter of 2026 which city or region will bid and for which Summer Games. The 2036, 2040 or 2044 Olympics are under consideration.

Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and the Rhine-Ruhr region are all vying to host the Olympic Games.

Munich residents recently voted in favour of the Olympic bid, while the state of North Rhine-Westphalia will hold a referendum on April 19 on whether the Rhine-Ruhr region should move forward.