India and Qatar have officially expressed their aspirations to host the 2036 Olympics, as confirmed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday. The two countries are among seven contenders vying for the opportunity, with the IOC planning to make a decision in 2029 through a vote by its 100-plus members.
Aside from India and Qatar, South Africa, South Korea, Germany, Hungary, and Turkey are also engaged in discussions regarding potential future hosting arrangements for the 2040 and possibly even the 2044 editions of the Olympics. IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized the importance of keeping athletes at the forefront of all decisions related to the Games.
The IOC has set an October 31 deadline for other national Olympic bodies to join the bidding process for the 2036 Olympics. India’s proposal focuses on Ahmedabad, which is slated to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and boasts the largest cricket stadium globally, named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Meanwhile, Qatar, known for hosting major international sporting events like the 2022 FIFA World Cup, is considering expanding its bid beyond Doha to include neighboring Gulf countries for certain events. If Qatar wins the bid, it may necessitate a shift in the traditional July-August timeframe for the Summer Games, which has been in place since the 2004 Athens Olympics through the upcoming 2032 Brisbane Games.
The IOC indicated that a shortlist of candidate cities will be approved for further project development in March by the executive board chaired by Coventry. The target date for the final vote to determine the host of the 2036 Olympics is 2029, following a return to the standard selection process for Summer Games hosts.
The decision timeline has been extended compared to initial expectations last year, when Coventry assumed office and India and Qatar appeared ready for a swift resolution. The change in approach occurred when Coventry, upon taking office in June 2025, decided to halt the expedited selection process that led to Brisbane being awarded the 2032 Olympics without a competitive vote.