India among seven bidders for 2036 Olympics, confirms IOC

India’s hope to host the Olympics stays alive. The International Olympic Committee has formally confirmed India among seven countries interested in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympic Games, placing the western city of Ahmedabad at the centre of the nation’s ambitious proposal. The announcement marks a significant milestone in the country’s long-standing desire to stage the world’s largest multi-sport event for the first time.

India among seven bidders for 2036 Olympics, confirms IOC. Ahmedabad in focus

In a statement released from its headquarters, the IOC listed Germany, Hungary, India, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, South Africa and Turkiye as the nations currently engaged in continuous dialogue over potential hosting plans. The statement read:

"The Interested Parties currently in Continuous Dialogue with the IOC, with a stated interest in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, are (in alphabetical order): Germany, Hungary, India, Qatar, Republic of Korea, South Africa and Turkiye.”

It further read:

"There are also a number of NOCs taking part in noncommittal talks with the IOC about hosting future Olympic Games beyond 2036. The Interested Parties have been invited to present their projects to the Future Host Commission in November.”

India’s bid focuses squarely on Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat and the political home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Officials have positioned the city as a ready-made Olympic venue, citing its rapidly expanding sports infrastructure and upcoming role as host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The confirmation arrives after India submitted its formal letter of intent in 2024.

The development was halted temporarily following the election of Kirsty Coventry as IOC president, who initiated a review aimed at greater transparency and stronger financial guarantees from prospective hosts. Ahmedabad’s credentials rest heavily on existing and planned facilities. The city is home to the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket ground with a capacity exceeding 130,000. Organisers have intended that the stadium, combined with new multi-sport complexes already under development for the Commonwealth Games, can form the backbone of an Olympic village and competition venues.

Qatar stays strong rival

Qatar has been the frontrunner of almost every big sporting event in recent years ever since the country successfully hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The country, which is preparing to host the 2030 Asian Games, is now well known for the World Cup, where Lionel Messi won his iconic and memorable World Cup title after Argentina beat France on penalties.

Germany is expected to put forward Munich, site of the 1972 Olympics, while South Korea, South Africa, Hungary and Turkiye bring their own histories of major event organisation or persistent previous bids. South Africa’s candidacy carries particular symbolic weight as a potential first Olympic host on the African continent. The IOC has set a clear multi-year pathway.

Meanwhile, the interested countries have time until 31 October 2026 to join the race. A shortlist is due to be drawn up by the IOC Executive Board in March 2027, after which selected candidates will enter a strategic dialogue phase requiring detailed responses to a Future Host Questionnaire and the submission of core financial guarantees. Targeted dialogue is scheduled for 2028, with the final contested vote by IOC members expected at a session in mid-2029.

Has India ever hosted the Olympics?

No. India has never hosted the Olympics so far. It has hosted some other big tournaments like the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982, the Commonwealth Games in 2010, and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup multiple times. The country first took part in the Olympics in 1900 and became the first Asian nation to do so. India’s first Summer Olympics were in 1920, and it has taken part in the multi-sport event ever since. The country has also taken part in multiple Winter Olympics ever since its debut in 1964.

ALSO READ: Asian Games 2026: India's best male & female athletes announced; receive inaugural Jaspal Rana, Raja Randhir Singh IOA awards