DOSB to Decide on Bid Concept for the Olympics in 2026

In the fall of 2026, the DOSB will decide which concept Germany will use in the international competition to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games between 2036 and 2044. Four concepts are under consideration, featuring Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and the Rhine-Ruhr region as the central host locations.

The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) intends to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games once again in Germany. The DOSB is advancing its bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. On Wednesday, the umbrella organization of German sports presented its internal decision-making process for selecting a final concept to the media. The cities that have been involved in the process from the beginning—Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and the Rhine-Ruhr region—have agreed to the further schedule under the leadership of the DOSB and will submit refined concepts by the end of May 2025. The specific details of the bidding process and the timeline were discussed and mutually agreed upon in workshops with the Olympic specialist associations, the state sports federations, the bidding regions, and the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI).

One of the most important innovations in this schedule is the decision to select the final German candidate by the fall of 2026, as well as the introduction of a three-stage decision-making process. DOSB President Thomas Weikert emphasizes, “We are aware of our great responsibility and take our leadership role in this process very seriously. The revised process offers all participants maximum planning security while ensuring equal opportunities. The most important thing is that we all work together and always prioritize the common good. We want the best bid for Germany.”

Against the backdrop of international competitiveness and drawing on the experiences from the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, the DOSB adjusted its strategy last year. Instead of distributing sports across several cities, the focus is now on a concept centered around a single Olympic and Paralympic Village that can accommodate as many athletes as possible.

Three-Stage Decision-Making Process Until Fall 2026

By the end of May 2025, the four interested cities/regions will submit initial documents based on guidelines provided by the DOSB. Subsequently, the DOSB will verify whether the concepts meet the operational minimum requirements. The evaluation will focus particularly on sports facilities and preliminary designs for an Olympic or Paralympic Village. The DOSB will assess the submitted concepts by the end of September and present the results at its general assembly on December 6, 2025, in Frankfurt.

In the second stage, the applicants will have the opportunity to conduct a referendum by the end of June 2026. Although a positive vote is not formally required by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and is therefore not mandated by the DOSB, the organization respects it if a governmental body wishes to conduct such a process to secure the bid. In such cases, the DOSB will support the process to the extent possible.

In the final, third stage, the ultimate concept will be selected based on an evaluation matrix to be developed jointly with the federal government. In particular, the international competitiveness and the cost-effectiveness of the submitted proposals will be decisive. The decision is expected to be made by the fall of 2026.

“We Want to Get Germany in Shape”

The overarching goal of the DOSB and its partners remains to host Games that benefit the entire country, even if the competitions are not held nationwide. “On the question of where, we act as a fair referee; on the question of why, we want to lead together with the federal government as captain,” summarizes Volker Bouffier, the DOSB board member with special responsibilities. Especially in politically challenging times, sports can offer a unifying force for the whole society. The DOSB intends to harness this power and, through an Olympic bid, not only revitalize sports but also bring Germany back to its best form. Bouffier explains, “We want to get Germany in shape through the Olympics. Our country faces numerous challenges that we must tackle together. An Olympic bid can serve as the catalyst for a shift, sparking the momentum needed to finally make a difference in Germany.”

“We Don’t Just Want to Play; We Want to Win”

The announcement of the awarding of the Games will be made for the first time by the new IOC President, Kirsty Coventry, although the exact timing has not yet been determined. The 41-year-old from Zimbabwe was elected as Thomas Bach’s successor three weeks ago. It is expected that the seven-time Olympic medalist in swimming will build on Bach’s successful reform processes as well as on the outstanding achievements of the Paris 2024 Games.

Later this year, the DOSB will apply for entry into the “Continuous Dialogue” with the IOC—the first formal stage of the reformed bidding process. Michael Mronz, an IOC member from Germany and a member of the DOSB board, underscores the significance of this step: “The Continuous Dialogue gives us the opportunity to further develop our concepts together with the IOC without being tied to a specific host year. Germany must be ready when Europe is called upon. This is an important step for a successful German Olympic bid. It also sends an international message: We don’t just want to play; we want to win.” Consequently, the focus has been placed on a one-village concept. “The Paris Games have impressively shown that, especially in a village where the majority of the athletes come together, the spirit of the Olympic Games becomes palpable.”