Hamburg holds referendum on hosting the Olympic Games

Hamburg residents will vote on whether the city should join a German bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games slated for 2036, 2040 or 2044. The referendum, organised by the Hamburg Senate and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), opens on Sunday from 08:00 to 18:00 at 178 polling stations, with mail‑in voting ending on 27 May. About 1.3 million citizens aged 16 or older are eligible to vote.

Supporters, including the SPD‑Green coalition government, the CDU, sports organisations and business groups, argue the event would bring an estimated €4.8 billion investment, generate a €100 million surplus and fund grassroots sport. Opponents, such as the Left, AfD, taxpayer and environmental organisations, question the financing, citing security costs that were €1.7 billion for Paris 2024 and raising concerns about rising rents and traffic disruption. The referendum cost is estimated at €7 million.