The race to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games is taking shape, with seven countries currently in discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about staging the world’s biggest sporting event.
The IOC has published a new handbook outlining the selection process, including key deadlines, evaluation criteria and the timeline for choosing the successful host.
The next two Summer Olympic Games will take place in Los Angeles, United States, from 14 to 30 July 2028, and Brisbane, Australia, from 23 July to 8 August 2032. The Paralympic Games will follow in both cities.
Which countries are in contention to host the 2036 Olympics?
According to the IOC, seven countries are currently participating in its Continuous Dialogue process and have expressed an interest in hosting the 2036 Games. They are:
- Germany
- Hungary
- India
- Qatar
- Republic of Korea
- South Africa
- Türkiye
While these countries are officially recognised as Interested Parties, they have not yet been shortlisted as formal candidates.
The IOC is working with their National Olympic Committees and partners to develop proposals covering venues, financing, infrastructure and the long-term benefits of hosting.
Potential hosts are being assessed on their venue masterplans, athlete experience, funding strategies, political and public support, delivery capabilities and legacy plans.
The IOC will also consider how each proposal aligns with local development priorities and the wider goals of the Olympic Movement.
“I was fortunate to compete at five Olympic Games, across four continents. Each had their own character,” said Kirsty Coventry, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“Each host brought something unique through its people, its culture and the way it chose to stage the Games. But wherever the Games take place, one thing must never change: athletes have to be at the heart of everything we do.
“As an athlete, you spend years working to make your Olympic dream come true. The experience you have when you finally reach the Olympic Games stays with you for the rest of your life. That is why, for every future host, delivering the best possible experience for the athletes must always be the starting point.”
When will the 2036 Olympic host be announced?
The IOC has confirmed that the host city or region will be elected by its members in mid-2029, following a multi-stage selection process.
The key dates are:
- 31 October 2026: Deadline after which no additional Interested Parties will be considered for 2036.
- November 2026: Interested Parties present their projects virtually to the Future Host Commission.
- March 2027: IOC feasibility assessments are completed and selected projects advance into Strategic Dialogue.
- December 2028: The IOC Executive Board invites selected Preferred Hosts into Targeted Dialogue.
- Mid-2029: IOC members elect the 2036 Olympic Games host.
During Strategic Dialogue, potential hosts will receive additional technical support, submit initial legal and financial guarantees, and undergo site visits. The process forms part of the IOC’s Fit for the Future reforms, endorsed in June 2026.
Main image: IOC president Kirsty Coventry (Credit: IOC)