Overview
- Ballots from 17 municipalities, cast only by mail and due back to city offices, will be counted Sunday to decide each city’s role in the KölnRheinRuhr bid.
- Early returns show roughly one third of voters have already responded in major hubs like Cologne and Düsseldorf, which helps meet the 10% yes-quorum required in large cities.
- A Forsa survey published this week found 54% support in the applicant cities and 48% statewide, yet organizers warn a no in Cologne or Düsseldorf could jeopardize the bid.
- The concept puts Cologne in the lead and leans on existing or temporary venues, with the DOSB projecting about €4.8 billion in costs and €5.2 billion in revenue, though recent Games often ran over budget.
- Sunday’s outcomes will feed into the DOSB’s choice on September 26, with Kiel also voting on sailing events that day and any IOC decision expected no earlier than 2027.