Artistic interpretation: Carl de Canedido | Not an official logo of the city of Essen
Referendum: Olympic Games on the Rhine and Ruhr in 2036, 2040 or 2044?
The city of Essen faces a pivotal decision: The city council has decided to let its citizens vote on whether to participate in the Rhine-Ruhr region's bid for the 2036, 2040, or 2044 Olympic and Paralympic Games. A referendum will be held by postal ballot on April 19, 2026. Around 432,000 eligible voters will receive not only the voting materials but also a comprehensive information brochure outlining the positions of the council factions and a recommendation from the mayor.
Planned sports in Essen
Should Essen be part of the bid, the city would host several Olympic and Paralympic disciplines – including boxing, shooting, weightlifting, BMX freestyle and BMX racing, as well as para-weightlifting, para-sport shooting, and sitting volleyball. Furthermore, the Baldeneysee It will play a central role. As a location steeped in tradition for water sports, it offers ideal conditions for stays, training camps, training regattas, and supporting events. Olympic use would not only modernize the infrastructure but also sustainably strengthen tourism and leisure activities in the region.
Costs and financing
The referendum is estimated to cost around 1.2 million euros. The city of Essen will contribute 180,000 euros, while the state of North Rhine-Westphalia will cover the majority of the costs.
Regional significance
The Rhine-Ruhr bid is designed as a joint project. Cologne is acting as the lead city, while numerous other venues are planned in the Ruhr region: Bochum (football, modern pentathlon), Dortmund (football, handball), Duisburg (canoeing, rowing, sport climbing (including Paralympic variants), Gelsenkirchen (swimming), Oberhausen (volleyball), and Recklinghausen/Herten (mountain biking). The population will also vote on participation in these areas.
International visibility and investments in sports venues
For Essen, the potential hosting of the Olympic Games represents a tremendous opportunity: In addition to international visibility, the city could benefit from investments in sports facilities and infrastructure. In particular, the integration of industrial monuments, the Baldeneysee site, and the Ruhr River would underscore the Ruhr region's attractiveness as a sports and leisure destination and provide long-term positive impetus for the economy, tourism, and urban development.
Next Steps
The Rhine-Ruhr region has already reached the second phase of the German Olympic Sports Confederation's (DOSB) application process. After all referendums have been completed by June 2026, the DOSB is expected to decide on the national bid in September of the same year.
