Olympiastadium in Berlin. Photo Credit: AdobeStock/yorgen67
Berlin has withdrawn from Germany’s selection process to host the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, ending its bid just days before the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) selected Munich as the country’s candidate for the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Games.
The Berlin Senate announced the withdrawal on 24 September, citing a changed political situation following the city’s 20 September state election and concerns over the political stability required for the bid.
Berlin had been competing with Munich and the KölnRheinRuhr region for the German nomination. Hamburg had previously exited the process following a referendum in May.
The withdrawal came after the DOSB’s evaluation committee published its assessment of the remaining concepts on 22 September.
Berlin received 74.64 points, compared with 87.03 for Munich and 85.02 for KölnRheinRuhr. Berlin Olympic commissioner Kaweh Niroomand said the evaluation score was not the reason for the withdrawal, with the decision instead linked to concerns over political support for the bid.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner said the city had concluded that the bid no longer had a realistic chance under the new political circumstances. The city’s official statement also said investment in Berlin’s sports infrastructure remained important regardless of the Olympic bid.
Focus on EXPO 2035, business events
Following the Olympic withdrawal, the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Berlin) called for the city to focus on its proposed EXPO 2035 bid with Brandenburg, describing the potential World Expo as another route to international visibility and infrastructure investment.
Germany is due for the submission of its official application for EXPO 2035 this year, ahead of the Bureau International des Expositions' anticipated decision-making cycle in 2028.
While Berlin's regional politicians and local chambers of commerce are actively lobbying for the event, the German Federal Government holds the final authority and must formally approve and submit the application.