The race to become the 2036 Olympics host has narrowed to a group of seven countries in formal talks with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). According to The Hindu, the IOC said on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, that Germany, Hungary, India, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, South Africa and Turkiye have each stated an interest in staging the 2036 Olympic Games. India, which submitted its Expression of Interest in 2024, is one of the bidders invited to present its project to the IOC’s Future Host Commission in November, and no further interested parties will be considered for 2036 after October 31.
Who Is Bidding for the 2036 Olympics?
The IOC released the list of interested parties in alphabetical order, without ranking them or indicating favourites. Each of the seven has entered what the IOC calls Continuous Dialogue — a stage of ongoing, non-binding conversation with the Future Host Commission rather than a formal bid contest.
| Country | Status (per IOC, October 2026) | Invited to present in November |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Continuous Dialogue | Yes |
| Hungary | Continuous Dialogue | Yes |
| India | Continuous Dialogue (Expression of Interest submitted 2024) | Yes |
| Qatar | Continuous Dialogue | Yes |
| Republic of Korea | Continuous Dialogue | Yes |
| South Africa | Continuous Dialogue | Yes |
| Turkiye | Continuous Dialogue | Yes |
The IOC also noted that a number of National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are holding noncommittal talks about hosting future Olympic Games beyond 2036. Those conversations sit outside the 2036 field and do not affect the current list.
How the IOC Host Selection Process Works
The modern IOC host selection process is deliberately quieter than the headline-grabbing bid races of the past. Instead of multiple cities campaigning against each other for years, the IOC now holds targeted discussions with interested parties through its Future Host Commission, which reports to the IOC Executive Board.
From Expression of Interest to Continuous Dialogue
An interested party typically begins with an Expression of Interest, as India did in 2024. If the project looks viable, the party moves into Continuous Dialogue — a phase of information-sharing and feedback, not a commitment to host.
What the Future Host Commission Assesses
According to the IOC, projects are assessed on a range of technical factors: the venue master-plan and athlete experience, the funding strategy, political and public support, Games delivery capabilities, and a legacy strategy designed to create long-term benefits for host communities.
That legacy requirement reflects a broader shift in how host cities are judged. As explored in our look at what sport teaches about teamwork and life, the value of a major event often lies in what it leaves behind for the community rather than in the event itself.
Where the October 31 Deadline Fits
The IOC stated that, given this schedule, no other interested parties will be considered for 2036 after October 31. In practice, that date closes the door on new entrants and focuses attention on the seven already in dialogue and their November presentations.
Why the Process Was Paused
The timeline has not been entirely smooth. India submitted its Expression of Interest in 2024, but the host selection process was subsequently halted by new IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who said fresh feedback would be taken from member nations to streamline the process.
That pause explains why the field is being consolidated now, in late 2026, rather than earlier. It also means the November presentations are effectively the first formal opportunity for these seven parties to make their case under the revised approach.
What India’s 2036 Olympics Bid Means
For Indian readers and the global Indian diaspora, the story has particular resonance. India’s stated interest, submitted in 2024 and now confirmed as part of Continuous Dialogue, would place the Games in a country with a vast and passionate sporting following.
Hosting an Olympics is about far more than stadiums. Delivering the Games requires athlete welfare, training systems, recovery science and grassroots participation to scale up together — themes we cover in our guides to how elite athletes train their minds and why recovery matters as much as training. A successful Games project usually depends on that wider sporting ecosystem being in place.
It is worth stressing what has not happened: the IOC has not selected a host, ranked the bidders, or set a final decision date in the information available. Being in Continuous Dialogue is an invitation to keep talking, not a guarantee.
What Happens Next in the 2036 Olympics Bidding Race
The immediate next step is the November presentations to the Future Host Commission. After that, the IOC’s own structures — the Commission and the Executive Board — continue to evaluate the projects against the technical criteria already published.
- October 31, 2026: cut-off for other interested parties to be considered for 2036.
- November 2026: the seven interested parties present their projects to the Future Host Commission.
- Beyond that: assessment continues under the streamlined process introduced after the pause ordered by IOC President Kirsty Coventry.
For readers tracking the story, the key takeaway is that this is a structured, criteria-led process rather than a popularity contest. Funding, public support and legacy planning will carry as much weight as sporting ambition.
The Bottom Line on the 2036 Olympics Host Race
Seven countries — Germany, Hungary, India, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, South Africa and Turkiye — are in Continuous Dialogue with the IOC about hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, and all have been invited to present their projects in November. India’s interest dates back to a 2024 Expression of Interest, and the process has since been reshaped under new IOC leadership. With the October 31 cut-off closing the field, attention now turns to how each project measures up on venues, funding, support, delivery and legacy — the criteria that will ultimately decide the 2036 Olympics host.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries are bidding to host the 2036 Olympics?
According to the IOC, seven countries have a stated interest and are in Continuous Dialogue: Germany, Hungary, India, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, South Africa and Turkiye. The IOC listed them in alphabetical order without ranking. A number of other National Olympic Committees are in noncommittal talks about Games beyond 2036.
When is the deadline for 2036 Olympics bids?
The IOC said no other interested parties will be considered for the 2036 Olympic Games after October 31, 2026. The seven parties already in dialogue have been invited to present their projects to the Future Host Commission in November 2026.
Has the 2036 Olympics host been chosen yet?
No. Based on the information released by the IOC, no host has been selected and no final decision date has been announced. The interested parties are in Continuous Dialogue and will present their projects in November as part of the assessment process.
What criteria does the IOC use to assess host projects?
The IOC said projects are assessed on technical factors including the venue master-plan and athlete experience, funding strategy, political and public support, Games delivery capabilities, and a legacy strategy to create long-term benefits for host communities.
When did India express interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics?
India submitted its Expression of Interest to host the Games in 2024. The host selection process was later halted by new IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who said fresh feedback would be taken from member nations to streamline the process.