India and Qatar have officially confirmed their ambitions to host the 2036 Olympics, as announced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday. They are among seven bidders vying for the opportunity. Considered as strong contenders, India and Qatar are part of a competitive selection process that the IOC plans to finalize in 2029 through a vote by its 100-plus members.
Apart from India and Qatar, the IOC revealed that South Africa, South Korea, Germany, Hungary, and Turkey are also engaging in discussions for potential future hosting opportunities, including the 2040 and 2044 editions. IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized the importance of prioritizing athletes in 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 2036 bidding process. India’s bid is centered around Ahmedabad, which is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and boasts the world’s largest cricket stadium named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On the other hand, Qatar, known for hosting major sporting events like the 2022 FIFA World Cup, is considering expanding its bid to involve neighboring Gulf countries.
If Qatar wins the bid, it may lead to a shift in the traditional scheduling of the Summer Games, potentially moving away from the usual July-August timeframe. The IOC plans to shortlist candidates for detailed project development in March under Coventry’s leadership. The target date for the final vote to determine the 2036 host aligns with the IOC’s standard process for selecting Summer Games hosts, marking a departure from the recent trend of expedited decisions.
In 2025, Coventry decided to pause the accelerated selection process that led to Brisbane being chosen as the 2032 host without competition. The decision to delay the final selection process for the 2036 Olympics came after India, Qatar, and other national Olympic bodies showcased their bid proposals during the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
