Hamburg rejects Olympic bid as Berlin's public support falls

On May 31, Hamburg residents voted against hosting the Olympic Games, citing the projected €4.8 billion operating budget, past cost overruns on large projects and concerns over housing and infrastructure. The city previously turned down a 2015 bid by a narrow margin, and the new referendum reaffirmed opposition to the massive expense.

A separate poll commissioned by the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) shows Berlin’s public backing for an Olympic bid slipping to 56 percent, down four points since March. The survey recorded 38 percent "yes", 18 percent "rather yes", 25 percent "no" and 13 percent "rather no" among 1.205 million eligible voters. Berlin officials cite the capital’s international profile, while the DOSB will decide on the national candidate on September 26, with Munich and the Rhein‑Ruhr region also in contention. Hamburg has withdrawn from the race after the referendum.