India among seven countries in race to host the 2036 Olympics
NEW DELHI: India is among seven countries currently engaged in “Continuous Dialogue” with the International Olympic Committee for the right to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, the IOC confirmed on Tuesday. The other interested parties are Germany, Hungary, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, South Africa and Türkiye.
Ahmedabad has been identified as India’s potential host city. The announcement provides clearer direction to India’s long-standing ambition to stage the Games for the first time, following the submission of its formal Expression of Interest in 2024.
New Roadmap and Timeline
The IOC has published a handbook detailing the revised multi-stage selection process under its “Fit for the Future” reforms.
The key milestones are:
• October 31, 2026: Deadline after which no new Interested Parties will be considered for 2036.
• November 2026: The seven countries will make virtual presentations to the Future Host Commission.
By March 2027: The IOC Executive Board is expected to open the Strategic Dialogue phase after feasibility assessments.
• December 2028: Preferred Hosts to be invited into Targeted Dialogue.
• Mid-2029: IOC members are expected to elect the host city for the 2036 Olympics.
Los Angeles will host the 2028 Games and Brisbane the 2032 edition. The new process aims to give IOC members a genuine choice among multiple candidates rather than a fast-tracked single preferred option.
Assessment Criteria
Projects will be evaluated on factors including the venue masterplan, athlete experience, funding strategy, political and public support, Games delivery capabilities, long-term legacy for host communities, and alignment of the overall vision with local development plans and the Olympic Movement’s objectives.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry, a five-time Olympian, underlined the priority: “I was fortunate to compete at five Olympic Games, across four continents. Each had their own character. But wherever the Games take place, one thing must never change: athletes have to be at the heart of everything we do.”
India’s Position and Background
India formally expressed interest in 2024. A high-level Indian delegation, led by Gujarat Sports Minister Harsh Sanghvi and including Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha, visited IOC headquarters in Lausanne in 2025 to discuss the proposal. The process was later paused after Coventry assumed the presidency and initiated a review.
Ahmedabad is being positioned as the centrepiece of the bid. The city is also scheduled to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and is home to the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket venue. Being listed among the seven Interested Parties places India in the early stage of the race; it does not yet constitute a shortlist or guarantee of success.
Other Contenders
Qatar is building on its experience of hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup and multiple world championships, with Doha as the likely centre. South Korea is expected to centre its bid on Seoul (1988 host), Germany on Munich (1972 host), South Africa on a national bid focused on Cape Town, Hungary on Budapest, and Türkiye on Istanbul.
Next Steps for India
India’s immediate priority is to prepare a strong presentation for the Future Host Commission in November and subsequently demonstrate that its plan is financially viable, technically robust and capable of delivering an outstanding athlete and spectator experience. The coming months will determine which of the seven projects advance to the more intensive Strategic Dialogue phase.
The confirmation of the seven Interested Parties marks the formal start of a competitive multi-year process that will culminate in the election of the 2036 Olympic host in 2029.
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