South Africa has emerged among seven nations formally expressing interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, raising the prospect of the first-ever Olympic event on the African continent as the International Olympic Committee advances its preliminary selection process.
The International Olympic Committee confirmed that South Africa is one of seven national Olympic committees engaged in continuous dialogue regarding bids for the 2036 Summer Games. The South African proposal involves hosting between three cities: Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban. If successful, the country would become the first African nation to host a Summer Olympics since the modern Games began in 1896. Previously, South Africa hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup and the 2010 football World Cup.
Global Contenders and First-Time Bids for 2036
Alongside South Africa, countries including India, Qatar, Turkey, Hungary, Germany, and South Korea are pursuing the 2036 event. Several of these nations are positioning themselves to host the Summer Olympics for the first time. India’s bid is centred on Ahmedabad, which is slated to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, has expressed interest in the 2038 Asian Games, and features the cricket stadium named after the current prime minister of India, who hails from the city. Qatar’s proposal is anchored in Doha, leveraging the infrastructure built for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, though extreme summer heat could require the event to be moved from the traditional July-August window. Turkey has nominated Istanbul—which previously bid unsuccessfully for the 2000, 2008, and 2020 Games—and is scheduled to host the 2027 European Games. Hungary has put forward Budapest as its host city, though the bid is also said to involve Vienna and Bratislava.
In contrast, Germany and South Korea represent nations with prior hosting experience. Germany’s sports authority selected Munich as its candidate city for a Games that would take place a century after the 1936 Berlin Olympics. South Korea’s bid involves Seoul, which hosted the 1988 Summer Games, alongside North Jeolla Province.
IOC Sets Timeline for Host City Selection
Interested parties have until October 31 to lodge formal submissions and confirm their intent before nominations close. In November, prospective hosts will deliver virtual presentations to the IOC’s future host commission. The IOC executive board plans to conduct feasibility assessments by March 2027 before opening targeted dialogue with preferred hosts in December 2028, culminating in a final vote in the summer of 2029 where more than 100 IOC members will cast votes.
Wherever the Games take place, one thing must never change: athletes have to be at the heart of everything we do.
Kirsty Coventry, IOC President
According to the IOC handbook, candidate proposals will be evaluated against technical factors such as venues, athlete experience, political and public support, funding, and the capacity to deliver a long-term legacy.