IOC Confirms India, Qatar Among Eight Nations in Race to Host 2036 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced today, October 6, 2026, that a total of eight nations, including India and Qatar, have formally entered the race to host the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. The confirmation marks a significant step in the bidding process, with the IOC aiming to select the host city in 2029 through its evolving dialogue-based selection system. ICC Introduces Major Changes to Cricket Rules; Time-Wasting Penalty, Boundary Catch Rule and More.

India, Qatar Among Eight Nations Vying for Hosting Rights

The IOC sets out the next phase of the process for selecting the host of the 2036 Olympic Games. 🏅

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🔗https://t.co/2lGaSkYaUP https://t.co/pICvU1AYnz

— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) October 6, 2026

IOC President Kirsty Coventry, a two-time swimming gold medalist, emphasized that the athlete remains at the heart of all decisions, regardless of where the Games are eventually held.

The Contenders

Beyond India and Qatar, the IOC has confirmed that South Africa, South Korea, Germany, Hungary, Turkey, and Egypt are also in discussions regarding future hosting opportunities, not just for 2036 but potentially for the 2040 and 2044 editions as well.

• India: Leading its bid with Ahmedabad as the primary host city, India aims to showcase its burgeoning infrastructure and passion for sports. The plan includes the state-of-the-art Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave. Ahmedabad is also discussing a bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, seen as a stepping stone. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P.T. Usha, alongside officials from the Union Sports Ministry and Gujarat government, presented the bid to IOC officials in Lausanne, affirming India's commitment to collaborate throughout the process.
• Qatar: Proposing its capital, Doha, as the host, Qatar's bid is bolstered by its extensive experience in staging major international events, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the Asian Games in 2006, with preparations underway for the 2030 edition. The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), chaired by Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, highlights that 95 percent of the necessary sports infrastructure is already in place. However, previous bids faced challenges due to proposals for October Games dates to avoid intense summer heat, outside the IOC's preferred July-August window. The Arab League officially backed Qatar's bid in September 2026, strengthening its regional support.
• South Africa: South Africa is actively exploring a multi-city bid, potentially involving Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban, for either the 2036 or 2040 Games. The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) aims to leverage the experience of hosting events like the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games to demonstrate the continent's organizational capabilities.
• South Korea: Initially, North Jeolla Province was selected as South Korea's candidate. However, reports indicate a shift, with North Jeolla now seeking a co-hosting arrangement with the capital, Seoul, due to concerns over costs and infrastructure. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has reportedly demanded that most major events, including the opening and closing ceremonies, be staged in the capital. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) has expressed reservations about the bid's readiness, leading the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to postpone its evaluation.
• Germany: Munich was selected as Germany's candidate city on September 26, 2026, for a potential bid to host the Summer Olympics in 2036, 2040, or 2044. The bid emphasizes using existing venues, including the Olympic Park from the 1972 Games, and enjoys significant local support demonstrated by a referendum. India Named New Hosts for Inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027.
• Hungary: Budapest is also in discussions, with its Mayor Gergely Karácsony backing a bid for the 2036 Olympics. However, the realization of the bid is contingent on increased government funding and may involve a city-wide referendum, which the Curia of Hungary recently validated for the capital.
• Turkey: Istanbul has actively pursued a bid for the 2036 Games, with the Turkish National Olympic Committee President, Veli Ozan Çakır, prioritizing the endeavor. The city is also preparing to host the 2027 European Games, which is seen as a key stepping stone towards its Olympic ambitions and to showcase its infrastructure.
• Egypt: Egypt has publicly declared its intention to bid, with presidential approval, proposing to host the Games in its New Administrative Capital, utilizing the impressive Egypt International Olympic City. If successful, Egypt would make history as one of the first Arab or African nations to host the Summer Olympics.

The Road Ahead

The IOC's Executive Board is slated to approve a shortlist of candidates in March 2027, officially launching the Strategic Dialogue phase, where these candidates will develop detailed project plans. The IOC's current approach prioritizes a more collaborative and deliberate selection process through continuous and targeted dialogues, moving away from a traditional contested vote. The intense competition among these diverse nations promises an exciting selection process as the Olympic movement looks to its future hosts.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 06, 2026 04:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).