Council referendum on the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Aachen has the best prerequisites to become part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Our city has a globally recognized equestrian
infrastructure - and an attitude that fits in with the Olympic idea. Nothing would have to be built on spec in Aachen. Our sports facilities
are tried and tested, sustainable and can be used in the long term. The Soers is exemplary for Games that are not created for a few weeks - but have a long-term effect
. With the facilities in the Soers, Aachen has a sports venue that is unparalleled internationally. The CHIO, the most important equestrian tournament in the world, takes place here every year. The Soers also repeatedly hosts major international events such as the World Equestrian Games.

At the same time, the Olympic idea suits our city in the heart of Europe. Encounters, understanding and openness are part of everyday life in Aachen
. The Paralympic Games in particular would send a strong signal for inclusion and cohesion. However, such a project can only succeed if the people of our city support it. That is why the referendum is right and important. The Olympics must not be a project of politicians alone
- but must be supported by a broad majority of Aacheners. If this support is there, the Games can become more than just a sporting event: a unifying moment for our city - and a strong signal from Aachen to the world.

We Greens consider Aachen to be a particularly suitable venue for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. With the Tivoli and the ALRV grounds, the Soers sports park offers ideal conditions for soccer and equestrian sports. With the construction of the new Albert-Vahle-Halle and the para and youth stadium
, we are also ideally equipped for Paralympic competitions. The necessary transport infrastructure is already being developed and the RegioTram will open up the sports park before the Games. We are therefore convinced that the Games in Aachen - in comparison to other venues - can take place in a much more sustainable way. We attach particular importance to animal welfare in equestrian sport. With its consistent focus on animal welfare, the ALRV has extensive experience and guarantees optimum conditions. We expect the IOC to create appropriate framework conditions for animal-friendly equestrian sport and for all riders to treat their animals with dignity. Despite many efforts, horses were also harmed or mistreated at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. We hope that such riders will be banned from participating in the Olympic Games in the long term. The positive experience with the ALRV and the CHIO shows that there is no better venue for Olympic and Paralympic equestrian disciplines than Aachen in terms of animal welfare.

The Olympic Games are also not uncontroversial regardless of animal welfare - for example due to ecological damage, social displacement or a lack of transparency. We want to prevent the Games from being held in a country that does not learn from past mistakes or disregards human rights
Another point of criticism is the high cost: public funds should not be used for the Games at the expense of infrastructure, climate protection or education. In NRW - and especially in Aachen - no additional funds are needed for new sports facilities.
The current plans assume that the implementation costs can be covered by revenue, based on up to 14 million tickets that can be sold. In our view, there are therefore no unnecessary costs for the local authorities.

Hosting the competitions will bring Aachen a great deal of international attention for several weeks, which will benefit trade and tourism. However, it is essential that the Games are also a benefit for citizens, for example through fair ticket prices, events
and the strengthening of local sports clubs. It is particularly important that we host not only the Olympic Games, but also the Paralympic
Games. Inclusion in and through sport is implemented with great success in Aachen, also thanks to the experience and expertise of the Stadtsportbund, and Aachen is a pioneer in this field throughout Germany. This important work will be highlighted once again by hosting the Paralympic
Games in Aachen and will help to further establish Para sport in society. We Greens are therefore delighted that the Games are coming to Aachen! Especially in times of increasing international conflicts, sport brings us together and enables encounters, joy and cohesion.

The SPD parliamentary group is in favor of an Olympic bid. We have initiated a referendum for this in the Council and will do all we can to encourage the people of our city to vote "Yes!" on April 19. Because from Aachen's point of view, there are unbelievable arguments in favor of such a bid. The CHIO stands for absolute world class in equestrian sport and the Tivoli is also a modern and atmospheric address in soccer.
With the further expansion, one of the most efficient and modern sports parks in Europe will be created in the Soers Sports Park in the coming years anyway. New large arenas for equestrian sports or soccer would not have to be built for the Olympics. This makes our bid for the Olympic Games particularly sustainable. Instead of expensive, short-lived new buildings, we are consistently relying on existing and already planned sports facilities. This is responsible towards the city's budget and consistent in terms of climate and resource protection.

Together with the other cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, we can send a strong signal with Aachen as the venue: The Games of the future are decentralized, sustainable and make sensible use of what already exists. The bid stands for exactly this approach - short distances, existing sports facilities and an optimal distribution of the competitions in the state. The Soers Sports Park will not only be expanded for top international competitions, but will also be further developed in line with the "Sports Park for All" concept. As the SPD parliamentary group, we have been particularly committed to this vision in recent years. Modern facilities, better accessibility, barrier-free access and additional offers will benefit the people of our city in the long term - from young talent to recreational teams, from school sports to club sports. The Olympic Games will reinforce this vision once again.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games inspire, motivate athletes and bring a real sparkle to the eyes of sports fans young and old all over the world. Aachen has the opportunity to host an unforgettable sporting event that will attract countless visitors to our city, attract international attention by bringing Aachen to millions of screens worldwide, strengthen our economy
and accelerate our urban development. We are certain that the Olympic Games in Aachen will be a driving force for enthusiasm, cohesion and our economic development. Let's set an example in the referendum by April 19 so that our city can be part of this
great event. Take part - every "yes" counts!

The AfD parliamentary group says yes to the bid! We are fundamentally in favor of Aachen's participation as a venue in the
KölnRheinRuhr region's bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The decentralized approach is particularly convincing, as existing sports facilities can be used and extensive new buildings can be largely avoided. A major event of this kind should be planned in an economically
sensible way and not place a long-term burden on municipal budgets.

Aachen is particularly suitable for equestrian competitions. With the CHIO, our city has an internationally recognized infrastructure, great organizational experience and a worldwide reputation in equestrian sport. These strengths can be put to good use. Existing sports facilities can be used
and adapted if necessary - a sustainable approach compared to costly new buildings.

Additional visitors, international attention and added value for tourism can provide positive impetus for the city and region if planning and funding are reliably organized. The Paralympic Games illustrate how participation in sport can succeed: through fair
competition categories that make performances comparable and take individual abilities into account. The Olympic idea thus stands for performance, respect and international encounters - values that we believe deserve special support.

Dear Aacheners, we very much welcome the fact that the decision as to whether the Rhine/Ruhr region should bid to host the Olympic Games in 2036, 2040 and 2044 will be placed in the hands of the citizens.
First of all: The Left Party is critical of a bid for the Olympic Games. On the one hand, this has to do with the high costs that will be incurred by the state and local authorities, which NRW Minister President Hendrik Wüst put at 4.8 billion euros in an interview with the media. He added that
would generate revenue of 5.2 billion euros. Regardless of how serious such calculations are many years before the actual event, it is clear that the investments in competition venues will have to be made by the public sector, while the majority of the revenue will flow into the
private sector. Furthermore, the majority of the population will not be able to afford the entrance fees to the Games, as was recently criticized many times during the Winter Games in Italy.

Numerous dilapidated gymnasiums and swimming pools in our country show that there is an urgent need to invest in popular sports; in the city of Aachen alone, around 100 sports halls are in need of renovation. However, the Olympic billions are flowing into a few competition venues, from which school and
club sport will not benefit and whose follow-up and maintenance costs will continue to burden the region for many years after the Olympics - money that will then, at the latest, be lacking for popular sport for good. The promises that the Olympics will enable investment in infrastructure raise the question of why this is not possible without the Olympics. Despite a centrally controlled mobility concept, local (public) transport will be overloaded during the events and the experiences of previous host cities have shown that the long-term effects on the infrastructure are also largely negative. This can be seen above all in increased rental costs and thus the displacement of socially disadvantaged sections of the population.

The promise that jobs will be created ignores the fact that these are usually only short-term and take place under precarious working conditions and are largely not filled by people from the host cities. The negative developments are further reinforced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Despite billions in revenue from advertising, exclusive sponsorship contracts and television broadcasting rights, the "non-profit organization" expects to be exempt from all taxes and customs duties. The city also assumes full liability during the Olympics. All in all, the IOC stands for self-enrichment, corruption, bribery, concealment of doping and anti-democracy.

We criticize the very one-sided reporting in the media and the City of Aachen on the Olympics, which is more of a PR campaign for the bid. In addition to all this general criticism of the Olympics, we are concerned that the animal welfare of the horses in the equestrian sport, which would then be held in Aachen
, is not being given sufficient attention. Finally, we would like to point out that an application from Germany for the year 2036, 100 years after the Olympic Games in the Nazi era, is not a suitable time for an application.

On April 19, 2026, the citizens of Aachen will decide whether to support North Rhine-Westphalia's bid for the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Olympic and
Paralympic Games. This referendum is more than just a vote on a sporting event. It is a decision on the long-term development of our city and region. The Volt group on Aachen City Council sees a possible Olympic Games as a great opportunity for Aachen and the entire region. At the same time, we take the risks seriously. We want the people in our city to be able to make an informed and self-determined decision on the basis of transparent information.

Olympics as an opportunity for Aachen and the region

An application can provide important impetus for infrastructure, mobility and international visibility. Major projects such as the expansion of rail transport or regional mobility concepts could be implemented more quickly. The bid documents describe how the Olympics can act as an accelerator for existing infrastructure projects. A bid can also trigger selective economic effects. Regional trades and the construction industry in particular could benefit from modernization orders. For Aachen as a traditional sports location, there is also the opportunity to host international competitions in existing infrastructure. This can strengthen our city as a location for science, sport and innovation - especially in conjunction with universities, start-ups and European networking. The Olympic and Paralympic Games can also promote enthusiasm for sport, volunteering and international exchange. If we succeed in organizing inclusive and sustainable games, this can send a strong signal for a modern, open North Rhine-Westphalia.

Risks and unanswered questions

At the same time, we must not ignore the financial and social risks. The so-called host city contract with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is described as one-sided in the information available to us. According to this, profits from global marketing flow predominantly to the IOC, while possible additional costs and risks remain with the host cities. Social impacts must also be critically examined. Experience from other major events shows that rising rents, displacement effects and additional burdens on municipal budgets are possible. The information available to us explicitly refers to the risk of rising rents and gentrification in the vicinity of events. There are also issues of safety, ecological impact and actual participation. Low entry prices for tickets alone do not guarantee broad participation. For Aachen, there are also special questions regarding equestrian sport. As an internationally important location, our city is under worldwide scrutiny during an Olympic equestrian event. Animal welfare, transparency and ethical standards must have top priority.

Transparency, participation and an informed decision

For Volt, one thing is clear: a decision of this magnitude requires maximum transparency. The referendum is an opportunity for democracy in action. The documents describe it as a way of "maximum legitimization". We expect all relevant contracts, cost assumptions, risk scenarios and follow-up costs to be disclosed. This includes clear statements on liability, possible cost increases, security expenditure and the long-term use of infrastructure. We are committed to ensuring that the City of Aachen organizes information events, public discussion formats and digital participation opportunities at an early stage. Every citizen should have the opportunity to weigh up the arguments and ask questions.

Our stance

The Volt group on Aachen City Council is not making a blanket recommendation for or against the application. We see the potential for progress, innovation and European cooperation. At the same time, we recognize the financial, social and ethical risks. That is why we are calling on everyone in Aachen: Get informed. Examine the arguments. Ask questions. Make your decision on the basis of facts. Democracy thrives on participation. On April 19, 2026, the people of Aachen will have their say. "Make an informed decision and we will support it."

You can find our detailed positioning at olympia-bewerbung-aachen.de

Dear people of Aachen,

Aachen's bid to host equestrian sport as part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036, 2040 or 2044 offers our city a unique opportunity. Aachen can present itself as a cosmopolitan, modern and sport-loving city in the global attention that comes with the Games. The investments in infrastructure and tourism could benefit the entire region in the long term.

At the same time, as the UP group on Aachen City Council, we see it as our duty to name critical aspects. For us, equestrian sport in particular is at odds with animal welfare. The discussions about stress, keeping, training and transportation of horses must not be ignored. The Olympic Games, which see themselves as a driving force for progress, must also set modern standards here.

We invite you to take a closer look at this issue and make your voice heard in the public consultation. The decision on whether to host the Games in Aachen affects us all - and should be in line with our shared values with regard to human and animal welfare.

In line with our election promise for more citizen participation and against the ongoing paternalism of the citizens, the BSW hereby limits itself to providing the necessary and most objective information possible, so that you, as the sovereign, can decide for yourself in the best possible way whether an Olympic bid by the city of Aachen is in your interest!

Positive effects

The positive effects of an Olympic bid have already been widely and repeatedly argued by other stakeholders; not least with the help of 9.5 million euros for the bid campaign by the NRW state government from the sports facility funding. These are therefore only listed here for the sake of completeness: Promotion of a sense of community and identification, inspiration for young people, education, sports culture and youth work, promotion of (grassroots) sport, inclusion and participation, networked and sustainable mobility, digitalization, amplification of infrastructure projects, positive impact on the local economy, international image enhancement.

Negative effects

In the important debate about a possible Olympic bid, one crucial point is being neglected: the clear naming of the negative effects. The city of Aachen is already facing considerable challenges. Social problems such as housing shortages, rising rents, increasing homelessness, neglect and drug use in public spaces have been worsening for years. At the same time, there is a massive renovation backlog for schools and sports facilities. The positive effects listed above only help with these problems in the short term, if at all. In view of the tight budget situation of many NRW municipalities and the strict savings requirements of the NRW municipal code, a careful analysis of the financial risks of an Olympic bid is essential. In recent months, the city administration has repeatedly pointed out Aachen's extremely difficult financial situation. Past experience warns us to be cautious: a study by Oxford University¹ shows that all Olympic Games between 1960 and 2013 significantly exceeded their planned costs - on average by 179%. This makes the Olympic Games one of the most financially risky megaprojects of all.

As a rule, the costs incurred remain with the municipalities - and therefore with the taxpayers, i.e. you. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) regularly requires host cities to provide an unlimited guarantee for all losses; this is extremely problematic for a heavily indebted city like Aachen in terms of budgetary law. The example of Montreal shows the long-term consequences: After the 1976 Games, the citizens there had to pay a special tax to pay off their debts until 1996. The Oxford study therefore expressly warns of the considerable financial risks of hosting the Olympics.

Culture and sport are important and cannot be measured solely in monetary terms. Nevertheless, the actual costs must be considered realistically. In the end, you decide whether you are prepared to accept possible financial burdens for the hoped-for positive effects in the current situation - after all, it's about your money and your city.