Paris, October 6,2026: India, Qatar and South Africa were among seven countries confirmed on Tuesday as interested in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Germany, Hungary, Turkiye and South Korea are the other countries currently on the IOC’s list. Other countries have until October 31 to formally declare their interest.
The IOC Executive Board is expected to draw up a shortlist of interested parties in March 2027, after which the shortlisted candidates will enter a dialogue with the Olympic body.
The IOC said potential hosts would be assessed on factors including funding capabilities and political and public support.
“Wherever the Games take place, one thing must never change: athletes have to be at the heart of everything we do,” IOC President Kirsty Coventry said in a statement.
She said providing athletes with the best possible experience should remain the starting point for every future Olympic host.
India has expressed its intention to host the Olympics for the first time, with Ahmedabad in Gujarat identified as the proposed host city. Ahmedabad is scheduled to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which could provide an opportunity to demonstrate its capacity to stage a major multi-sport event. The city is also home to the world’s largest cricket stadium.
South Africa, which hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 1995 Rugby World Cup, has never hosted an Olympic Games.
Qatar hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup. An Olympic Games in the Gulf state would likely require a departure from the traditional July-August schedule because of extreme summer temperatures.
Germany’s National Olympic Committee last month selected Munich as its candidate city. A Munich Games would take place 100 years after the 1936 Berlin Olympics, which were held under Nazi rule.
Turkiye is also seeking another opportunity to host the Games after Istanbul finished second to Tokyo in the bidding for the 2020 Olympics.
The United States will host the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, while Brisbane, Australia, will host the 2032 Games.
