Ahmedabad, India, is at the heart of the nation's bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympic Games, placing India among seven countries vying for the prestigious international event. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced its intention to shortlist potential host cities in March 2027, with the final decision expected in 2029 through a contested vote.
India and Qatar are reportedly considered favored candidates in the early stages of the bidding process. Ahmedabad's credentials include its upcoming role as host for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and its status as home to the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world's largest cricket venue, which could serve as a central hub for Olympic events.
Global Contenders for 2036
Beyond India, a diverse group of nations has expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Games:
- Qatar: Having successfully hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup and numerous world championships, Qatar's bid may extend beyond Doha, potentially involving other Gulf neighbors. A Qatari Summer Games would necessitate a shift from the traditional July-August timeline due to extreme heat.
- South Africa: Centered on Cape Town, a successful bid would mark a historic first for the African continent, which has yet to host the modern Summer Olympics since its inception in 1896.
- South Korea: Seoul, the host city for the 1988 Summer Games, is the proposed anchor for South Korea's bid.
- Germany: Munich, which hosted the 1972 Olympics, is Germany's selected city for the 2036 bid.
- Hungary: The capital city of Budapest is being put forward as Hungary's candidate.
- Turkey: Istanbul is the proposed host city for Turkey's Olympic aspirations.
The IOC has set October 31 as the deadline for any other national Olympic bodies to formally join the 2036 contest, and has published a 30-page guidance document for all bidders.
IOC's Selection Process Evolves
The 2029 vote signifies a return to the IOC's earlier practice of selecting Summer Games hosts via a competitive ballot. This marks a shift from the more streamlined, less transparent process used for Brisbane's selection as the 2032 host, which occurred 11 years in advance without a contested vote. IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who chairs the executive board, has indicated that this change responds to members' desires for greater involvement and multiple candidates on the ballot.
Coventry emphasized the core principle guiding the selection, stating, "But wherever the Games take place, one thing must never change: Athletes have to be at the heart of everything we do." The IOC is also engaging with current candidates about the possibilities of hosting the 2040 and 2044 Games.