The IOC has named seven interested countries and set out a timeline running to a contested vote in 2029
The International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, that India is one of seven countries that have expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics, according to a Business Today report and a Reuters-sourced report carried by The Star.
The other countries are Germany, Hungary, Qatar, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey. Business Today reports that the IOC also published a 30-page document to guide bidders, and that India and Qatar are widely seen as the favoured candidates.
India, Germany, Hungary, Qatar, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey are in preliminary talks with the IOC.
Other national Olympic bodies can come forward until 31 October, according to both reports.
Business Today reports the IOC issued a 30-page document to guide bidders.
Business Today lists Ahmedabad as India's proposed host city. The report notes that the city will host the multi-sport Commonwealth Games in 2030 and is home to the world's largest cricket stadium, which is named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Among the rivals, Business Today names Doha for Qatar, Seoul for South Korea, Munich for Germany, Cape Town for South Africa, Budapest for Hungary and Istanbul for Turkey. The Star's report separately names Munich and Istanbul.
According to the reports, the IOC plans to shortlist candidates in March, which The Star's report places in 2027. Preferred hosts are to be named after a dialogue phase in 2028, with a final decision expected in mid-2029 by a contested vote.
The Star reports that more than one country will likely be named as a preferred host, unlike past votes where the IOC executive board put forward a single bidder.
Deadline for other countries to join the 2036 contest.
IOC executive board expected to approve a shortlist.
Preferred hosts to be named after the dialogue phase.
Final decision expected through a contested vote.
Business Today reports that IOC President Kirsty Coventry paused the faster, more closed selection process used under her predecessor Thomas Bach, which allowed Brisbane to be chosen as the 2032 host 11 years early without a contested vote. The return to a contested vote followed requests from IOC members for a bigger role and multiple candidates on the ballot.
The Star reports that a strategic dialogue stage has been added and that members are more involved throughout. Coventry said: "Wherever the Games take place, one thing must never change: athletes have to be at the heart of everything we do."
The reports link the two events, noting that Ahmedabad will host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 as part of its profile as India's Olympic candidate. The process stays open until 2029, and this site will continue to report only confirmed developments.
According to the IOC, seven countries have expressed interest: India, Germany, Hungary, Qatar, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey.
Business Today lists Ahmedabad as India's proposed host city for the 2036 Olympics.
A final decision is expected in mid-2029 through a contested vote, according to The Star's report.
The IOC aims to shortlist candidates in March, which The Star's report places in 2027.
No. The IOC has moved away from the earlier closed process and plans a contested vote, with more than one preferred host likely to be named.