India and Qatar have officially declared their intentions to bid for the opportunity to host the 2036 Olympics, joining five other contenders in the race as confirmed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The selection of the host city is expected to be determined through a vote by the IOC members in 2029.
Apart from India and Qatar, countries such as South Africa, South Korea, Germany, Hungary, and Turkey are also engaged in discussions regarding potential hosting opportunities for the 2040 and possibly the 2044 editions of the Olympics. Emphasizing the significance of prioritizing athletes, Kirsty Coventry, the President of the IOC and a two-time Olympic gold medallist in swimming, highlighted the importance of keeping athletes at the core of all decisions related to the Games.
The IOC has set a deadline of October 31 for other national Olympic committees to express their interest in joining the bidding process for the 2036 Olympics. India’s bid proposal focuses on Ahmedabad, a city set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and home to the world’s largest cricket stadium named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On the other hand, Qatar, known for hosting major world championships, including the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup, is considering expanding its bid beyond Doha to include neighboring Gulf countries as hosts for certain events. Should Qatar be chosen to host the Olympics, it may prompt a shift in the traditional timing of the Summer Games, currently held in July and August, starting from the 2004 Athens Olympics through the 2032 Brisbane Games.
The IOC plans to announce a shortlist of potential host candidates in March, with the final decision slated for a contested vote in 2029. The delay in the decision-making process, compared to initial expectations, is attributed to Coventry’s decision upon assuming office in June 2025 to halt the accelerated selection process that led to Brisbane being awarded the 2032 Games without a competitive vote.
