South Africa is exploring a bid to become the first African country to host the Summer Olympics, with the nation among seven potential candidates now in dialogue with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the 2036 Games.
The IOC said South Africa, Hungary, India, Qatar, Turkey, Germany and South Korea are participating in “continuous dialogue” as they consider their respective proposals. Interested national Olympic committees have until 31 October to formally submit their stated interest.
The process will move into virtual presentations before the IOC’s Future Host Commission in November. Feasibility assessments are expected to be completed by March 2027, after which the candidates will enter a more detailed strategic dialogue with the IOC.
South Africa’s proposal would spread the Olympics across three major cities: Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. Durban was previously selected to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games but withdrew from the event in 2017.
India’s proposal centres on Ahmedabad, which is scheduled to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and has also expressed interest in staging the 2038 Asian Games. The city is home to the Narendra Modi Stadium, one of the world’s largest cricket venues.
Other bids feature cities with significant experience hosting major international events. Budapest is Hungary’s proposed host, while Qatar has put forward its capital, Doha, which hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Istanbul is Turkey’s candidate after unsuccessful Olympic bids for the 2000, 2008 and 2020 Games.
Germany is considering Munich, which previously hosted the 1972 Olympics, while South Korea’s proposal includes Seoul, host of the 1988 Games, alongside North Jeolla Province.
The IOC also said other national Olympic committees are holding informal discussions about Games beyond 2036. The UK government has separately confirmed talks over potential bids for the Olympics and Paralympics in the 2040s.
Los Angeles will host the 2028 Olympics, followed by Brisbane in 2032.
