Hamburg is planning the Olympic Games: swimming arena in the Volksparkstadion!

Hamburg is planning the Olympic Games: swimming arena in the Volksparkstadion!

On May 31, 2025, the city of Hamburg presented its plans for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036, 2040 or 2044. Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) announced the application in the Volksparkstadion, which is to be converted into a modern swimming arena. This makes Hamburg the last of four candidates who submitted their concepts to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). In addition to the renovation of the Volksparkstadion, there are also some exciting innovations on the agenda.

A central feature of the Hamburg Olympic concept is the idea of ​​short distances: a full 82% of the sports facilities should be within seven kilometers. This sustainable planning aims to focus on the needs of citizens, especially children and young people. In addition, the competition venues should be harmoniously integrated into the existing city geography. Interior Senator Andy Grote (SPD) also emphasizes that the games should take place without purely new buildings, which promises an environmentally friendly orientation.

New stadium construction and Olympic village

A notable project is the construction of a new athletics stadium for up to 60,000 spectators, which can also be expanded to 70,000. This stadium will be built independently of the Olympic bid and will remain in use after the Games. An Olympic Village will also be built near the Science City Bahrenfeld to provide the athletes with a home after their competitions.

The Olympic Park City and the Olympic Park Altona are planned to hold the competitions, where most of the 38 disciplines will take place. A special location is planned for the beach volleyball tournament: the center court is being built in front of a former high-rise bunker from the Second World War. Sailing, handball and rugby, however, are to be held in Kiel.

This is what it looks like in Berlin

Berlin is also not standing idle in the competitive environment, as it is also aiming to apply for the 2036 or 2040 Games. According to Berlin's plans, a sustainable concept should be based on existing sports facilities, but many of them will have to be renovated or even newly built. A clear signal is the modernization of the Olympic Stadium, which is being extensively renovated for the upcoming European Football Championship. Berlin currently has 70% of the required sports facilities, but is considering not applying as a single city, but rather including several cities.

The decision on the final application in Hamburg should be made by autumn 2026, while a referendum on the Olympic application is planned for May 2026. Even if the Left is critical of the plans, the support for the application from the CDU and the Chamber of Commerce is seen as promising. The people of Hamburg seem to be steering the direction towards a sustainable, integrative and citizen-oriented Olympic bid. It remains exciting to see whether they can prevail in the end.