Flame Goes Out: Determinants of Individual Support at the 2024 Hamburg Games Referendum

Abstract

This study used the opportunity to conduct a survey with a contingent valuation method scenario in the weeks prior to an actual referendum on bidding for the 2024 Olympic Summer Games in Hamburg. Only 41.2% of respondents planned to vote favorably and 30.1% reported a positive willingness‐to‐pay. We allowed respondents to state the institution they would give the money to ensure it is wisely spent. The preferred institutions were a foundation and an account in trust. The findings indicate that individual voters have their own complex utility function of costs and benefits which should be considered by public officials.

JEL Classification: H41, L83, Z23, Z28