Hamburg voters reject bid to host 2036‑2044 Summer Olympics

In a second referendum, 54.9% of Hamburg residents voted against the city’s proposal to seek the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Summer Olympic Games, while 45.1% voted in favour. Mayor Peter Tschentscher said, “I am deeply sorry for the result,” and confirmed that the city has informed the German Olympic Sports Confederation of its withdrawal.

The mayor added that Hamburg will continue to pursue its urban‑development goals and large infrastructure projects even without the Games. Business leaders, including Chamber of Commerce president Norbert Aust, expressed disappointment, arguing the Olympics would have offered “huge opportunities for international visibility, economic growth and infrastructure.” Campaigners of the NOlympia movement welcomed the outcome, warning that the International Olympic Committee’s rules “extract more than they give.”