Hamburg Residents Skeptical of Olympic Bid, Survey Shows
Hamburg, March 25 – A significant portion of Hamburg’s population views a potential Olympic bid with skepticism, according to the latest infratest dimap survey conducted on behalf of NDR. The poll, which surveyed 1,152 eligible voters aged 16 and above between March 19 and March 23, 2026, reveals that 50% of respondents consider an Olympic bid for the Hanseatic city to be “rather bad,” while only 41% believe it would be “rather good.” This comes ahead of a referendum at the end of May, where Hamburg residents will vote on whether to proceed with an Olympic application.
Widespread Opposition Across Political Lines and Age Groups
While supporters of the SPD (57% in favor) and CDU (50% in favor) show more positive sentiment towards an Olympic bid, critical views dominate among other political parties. The Green Party (53% against), AfD (57% against), and Die Linke (72% against) largely oppose the plans. Only the 16-to-34 age group shows a slight majority in favor of the bid; all other age demographics predominantly express rejection.
Concerns Over Costs and Infrastructure Drive Opposition
The primary concern among opponents of Hamburg’s Olympic plans is the high public costs that would detract from other essential areas, cited by 79% of those against the bid. Nearly half (46%) also believe that hosting the Games would lead to the construction of unnecessary building and infrastructure projects. Furthermore, 41% fear an overload of existing infrastructure, resulting in traffic problems and over-tourism. Concerns about pressure on Hamburg’s housing and rental market were raised by 34%, and 24% anticipate security issues.
Supporters Highlight Modernization and Economic Benefits
Conversely, proponents of the Olympic bid see significant advantages, particularly in the modernization of the city’s transport infrastructure (54%). Almost half (49%) expect positive economic consequences for the city, and a similar number (46%) hope for an international reputation boost. Over four out of ten (45%) foresee renovated city districts and sports facilities, while 43% anticipate a revitalization of tourism as positive outcomes of the major sporting event.
SPD Remains Ahead in State Elections, Coalition Approval Declines
The survey also touched upon Hamburg’s political landscape. The SPD continues to lead in hypothetical state elections with 30% of the vote, a slight decrease from their 33.5% in March 2025. The Green Party, currently governing in coalition with the SPD, would secure 20%, an improvement from their 18.5% last year, drawing even with the CDU, which also stands at 20% (maintaining their 19.8% from the state election). Die Linke would secure 12% (up from 11.2%), and the AfD would receive 10% (up from 7.5%). All other parties combined would account for 8%.
Satisfaction with the red-green Senate’s work has declined, with 52% of respondents expressing satisfaction, down 9 percentage points from a year ago. While a large majority of SPD and Green Party supporters give the government a positive rating, 42% of Hamburg residents (an increase of 8 percentage points) are dissatisfied. Criticism primarily comes from CDU and AfD supporters, while Die Linke supporters are divided in their opinion.
Economic Sentiment Wanes Slightly
The economic mood in Hamburg has also slightly dampened over the past year. Currently, 51% of eligible voters rate Hamburg’s economic situation positively, while 44% view it negatively. Immediately before the 2025 state election, 59% of respondents had a positive outlook. Supporters of the two ruling parties and Die Linke tend to have a favorable view, while CDU voters are evenly split. AfD supporters are significantly more critical of Hamburg’s economic situation.
The referendum on Hamburg’s Olympic bid is scheduled for May 31. The results of this survey indicate a challenging path for proponents of the Games, who will need to address public concerns regarding financial burdens and infrastructure impact to secure a positive outcome.
Source: NDR
