Germany has chosen Munich as its candidate city to host the 2036, 2040, or 2044 Summer Olympics. The decision was made on September 26, 2026, by the German Olympic Committee (DOSB). Munich's bid is centered around the Olympic Park in the north of the city, which was built for the 1972 Summer Olympics. The city's previous experience in hosting the Olympics, as well as its recent successes in securing major international events, make it a strong contender.
Munich has previously hosted the Olympics in 1972, which was marked by a tragic attack on the Israeli delegation. Since then, Germany has made several unsuccessful bids to host the Olympics. The country's previous attempts were hindered by various obstacles, including referendums and voting losses in the International Olympic Committee (IOC). However, with strong support from the local population and the German government, Munich's bid is seen as a promising one.
The German government's support for the bid is evident in the presence of President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who opened the envelope containing the name of the winning bid. Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his enthusiasm for the bid, stating that Germany is capable of hosting the Olympics. The DOSB will now engage in a "continuous dialogue" with the IOC, which will evaluate the bids and visit the candidate cities.
Munich's bid has received significant local support, with 66.4% of voters backing the project in a referendum held in October 2025. The city's successful hosting of recent international events, such as the Champions League final in 2028 and the World Athletics Championships in 2031, demonstrates its ability to host major events. The IOC is expected to select a preferred host city by the end of 2028.
The 2036 Summer Olympics are expected to be awarded to an Asian city, with Turkey, India, Qatar, and South Korea in the running. However, Germany's bid for 2036, 2040, or 2044 is seen as a strong one, given the country's previous experience and the support of the local population. The DOSB's bid is part of a larger effort to bring the Olympics back to Germany.
The selection process for the 2036, 2040, and 2044 Olympics is ongoing, with the IOC expected to make a decision in the coming years. The IOC's rotation policy, which aims to distribute the Olympics across different continents, may influence the final decision. Germany's bid is one of several being considered, and the IOC will evaluate the bids based on various criteria.
The outcome of the bidding process will be determined in the next few years, with the IOC expected to announce a preferred host city by the end of 2028. The winning bid will be announced in 2029, and the host city will be officially confirmed. Germany's bid, led by Munich, is a strong contender, and the country's experience and local support make it a promising candidate.
Key points
- Germany has chosen Munich as its candidate city to host the 2036, 2040, or 2044 Summer Olympics.
- Munich's bid is centered around the Olympic Park in the north of the city, which was built for the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- The German government's support for the bid is evident in the presence of President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
