India and Qatar have officially expressed their ambitions to host the 2036 Olympics, as confirmed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) among seven competing nations. The IOC aims to reach a decision on the host country by 2029 through a vote involving its 100-plus members.
Apart from India and Qatar, the IOC revealed that South Africa, South Korea, Germany, Hungary, and Turkey are also engaged in discussions regarding potential hosting opportunities for the 2040 and even 2044 editions. IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized the fundamental importance of keeping athletes at the core of all Olympic endeavors.
The IOC has set a deadline of October 31 for other national Olympic committees to enter the bidding process for the 2036 Olympics. India’s bid proposal is centered around the city of Ahmedabad, set to host the multi-sport Commonwealth Games in 2030 and featuring the world’s largest cricket stadium, named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Qatar, known for hosting various world championships in top-tier Olympic sports, including the upcoming 2022 World Cup, is considering expanding its bid beyond Doha to involve neighboring Gulf countries in hosting certain events. Should Qatar secure the hosting rights, it may lead to a shift in the usual July-August timeframe of the Summer Games from 2004 in Athens to the planned 2032 edition in Brisbane.
The IOC announced that in March, the executive board chaired by Coventry will select a shortlist of candidate cities to develop detailed hosting plans. The target date for the final vote in 2029 aligns with the traditional selection process for Summer Games hosts, marking a return to the IOC’s previous timeline.
The decision to delay the selection process was made by Coventry upon assuming office in June 2025, halting the fast-track approach that resulted in Brisbane being named the 2032 host without a competitive vote, a departure from the norm established in previous Olympic bidding processes.