The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that seven National Olympic Committees (NOCs) remain interested in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, an edition that will mark a new chapter in the process of selecting future hosts. Germany, Hungary, India, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, South Africa and Türkiye are the countries still in the running to host the world’s largest multi-sport event.
The confirmation comes after the deadline set by the organisation for other National Olympic Committees to express their intention to participate in the discussions had passed. As a result, the process moves forward with seven interested parties under a selection model that seeks to strengthen transparency and maintain direct dialogue with applicants, while assessing the long-term potential of each project.
Seven countries remain interested in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games
The final list of interested parties includes Germany, Hungary, India, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, South Africa and Türkiye, whose names were initially published by the IOC on October 6 as part of the transparency measures approved during the organisation’s Session in June. Following the closure of the period for additional participants to join, no other nation expressed an intention to enter the discussions, meaning these seven National Olympic Committees will be considered in the next stages of the process.
The geographical diversity of the interested parties reflects the international reach of hosting the Olympic Games and the appeal of becoming the host of an event of this scale. From Europe to Asia and Africa, the seven projects represent different sporting, economic and social realities that will be taken into account during the evaluation process. In this regard, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, an IOC member and Chair of the IOC Future Host Commission for the Olympic Games, highlighted the value of this interest for local communities and said the organisation would continue working closely with each party to support the development of their proposals.
The IOC outlines the next steps in selecting the 2036 host
The selection of the host for the 2036 Olympic Games will be the first to take place under the changes introduced through the “Fit for the Future” initiative, a strategy aimed at updating selection mechanisms and establishing closer relationships between the IOC and interested cities or countries. In this context, the organisation has established a timetable that will begin in November 2026, when the seven participants will deliver virtual presentations to the Future Host Commission, giving them the opportunity to outline the main features and prospects of their projects.
The process will then move forward to March 2027, when the IOC expects to complete the feasibility assessments of the proposals. During the same month, the 2036 Strategic Dialogue will also open under the direction of the organisation’s Executive Board. These stages will allow the IOC to examine key aspects of each bid, considering not only sporting and organisational conditions but also the potential social and economic impact of the event, as well as its sustainability and the legacy it could leave in host territories.
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