Sporting events such as the 2024 UEFA European Championship, the 2026 FIFA World Cup or the 2023 Special Olympics World Games have always brought great excitement and resonance in Berlin. The positive effects on tourism, the economy, and gastronomy are measurable and proven.

The bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games can also be a driving force for the sustainable promotion of affordable housing, the modernisation and expansion of important infrastructure such as public transport, and the construction of urgently needed sports facilities. In this way, the Olympic bid offers the chance to give the city a noticeable boost – not only in terms of infrastructure but also in the coexistence and integration of people from different backgrounds.

“An Olympic bid provides the great opportunity to actively, coordinatedly tackle the numerous challenges our city faces within a clear timeframe. Paris has shown how the Olympics can be leveraged for sustainable development of a million-metropolis,” explained Kaweh Niroomand, spokesperson for the initiative of Berlin professional clubs and Olympic Commissioner for Berlin. “For a successful Olympic bid, it is essential to convince the people by highlighting and making clear the great benefits for the city. In this sense, we support the citizens’ initiative ‘The Games for Berlin’ led by the Berlin State Sports Federation.”

The last major public investments in new sports facilities stem from the bid for the Olympics in 2000, which resulted in the Max Schmeling Hall, the Velodrom, and the Swimming and Diving Hall at the Europasportpark. With the enormous demand, it is important to build on this and to upgrade and develop Berlin's sporting infrastructure – for schools and clubs, as well as for recreational and top-level sports.

Therefore, the professional clubs' commtiment includes the condition that an Olympic bid primarily benefits recreational sports in Berlin both structurally and sustainably. An Olympic bid must provide clear and recognisable value for recreational sports and thus for all the people in the city.

The demands of the Berlin professional clubs in detail:

• Establishment of a recreational sports fund to ensure modern, attractive, local, and affordable sports facilities and offerings for all

• Investment program for the renovation and new construction of sports facilities

• Program to promote sports for all social groups

• Strengthening the sports offerings at schools and educational institutions

• Program for acquiring, qualifying, and professionalising youth coaches

In addition to Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and the Rhine/Ruhr region have also applied to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) will decide in September 2026 which applicant it will support.