NOlympia Hamburg to Launch Campaign Ahead of Referendum on Olympic Bid
Hamburg, January 10, 2026 – The NOlympia Hamburg initiative is preparing to launch its campaign on January 13, 2026, just one day before the Bürgerschaft (Hamburg Parliament) is scheduled to decide on the conduct and date of a public referendum concerning Hamburg’s potential bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036, 2040, or 2044.
The initiative has extended an invitation to a press conference where it plans to unveil its campaign’s timeline and key messages. The press conference will take place at the Centro Sociale, Sternstraße 2, 20357 Hamburg, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 11:30 AM.
Referendum on the Horizon
The Bürgerschaft’s impending decision on January 14, 2026, marks a critical juncture for Hamburg’s Olympic aspirations. Should the referendum proceed, it will allow Hamburg residents to directly voice their opinion on whether the city should pursue hosting the prestigious international sporting event.
NOlympia Hamburg has consistently expressed concerns regarding the potential economic, social, and environmental impacts of hosting the Olympic Games. Their upcoming campaign is expected to highlight these concerns and advocate for a ‘No’ vote in the potential referendum.
BUND Hamburg Joins the Discussion
Following the NOlympia press conference, the BUND Hamburg (Friends of the Earth Germany, Hamburg chapter) will also hold a public event. The BUND project group “NO to Olympia” invites the public to an action on the Rathausmarkt on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 1:00 PM. The event’s motto is: “Take the State Budget Ordinance seriously and present an economic efficiency study for Olympia in Hamburg!”
This parallel event underscores the broader public debate surrounding the Olympic bid, with environmental and economic considerations taking center stage. The BUND’s call for a thorough economic efficiency study suggests a demand for greater transparency and accountability in the decision-making process.
Key Figures and Contact Information
For further inquiries regarding the NOlympia Hamburg campaign, contact Eckart Maudrich, Press Spokesperson for NOlympia-Hamburg, via email at [email protected]. Additional information can be found on their websites: www.nolympia-hamburg.de and fairspielen.de.
The upcoming days are expected to be pivotal for Hamburg as the city grapples with the significant decision of whether to pursue an Olympic bid, weighing the potential benefits against the considerable challenges and public sentiment.
