India and Qatar have officially declared their intentions to bid for the hosting rights of the 2036 Olympics, according to an announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday. These two nations have been regarded as strong contenders in a competition that the IOC plans to finalize in 2029 through a vote involving its 100-plus members.
In addition to India and Qatar, South Africa, South Korea, Germany, Hungary, and Turkey are also exploring the possibility of hosting future editions, including the 2040 and 2044 Games. IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized the importance of prioritizing athletes in all aspects of the Games, regardless of the hosting location.
The IOC has set an October 31 deadline for other national Olympic committees to express interest in the 2036 bid. India’s proposal focuses on Ahmedabad, which is slated to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and boasts the world’s largest cricket stadium, named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Qatar, known for hosting major sporting events like the 2022 FIFA World Cup, could potentially extend its bid beyond Doha to involve neighboring Gulf countries. If Qatar wins the bid, it may necessitate a shift from the traditional July-August schedule for the Summer Games, which has been in place since 2004 in Athens up to 2032 in Brisbane.
The IOC’s executive board, led by Coventry, is set to finalize a shortlist of candidate cities in March to proceed with detailed project development. The target date for the final vote in 2029 signifies a return to the standard process of selecting Summer Games hosts, deviating from initial expectations for an expedited decision by India and Qatar following promotional activities at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Upon assuming office in June 2025, Coventry opted to halt the accelerated selection process that led to Brisbane being awarded the 2032 Games 11 years in advance without a competitive vote. This decision marked a shift towards a more traditional and transparent approach to determine future Olympic hosts.