The 2036 Olympic Host City Bidding War—Five Cities in Asia, the Middle East, and South America Compete Fiercely

After the Brisbane Games in 2032, major cities around the world are gearing up for fierce competition over the 2036 Olympic host city. In Asia, only Japan, China, and South Korea have previous experience hosting Summer Olympics and Paralympics, but depending on how this bidding war unfolds, that situation could change significantly.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has introduced a new “permanent ongoing dialogue” system to simplify the traditional application process. Instead of one-sided document reviews, this approach involves multiple rounds of dialogue with candidate cities, resembling interviews. Notably, the IOC is also considering joint bids involving multiple cities or entire regions, moving away from the previous focus on a single host city.

Western Europe Retreats and Global Competition Intensifies

Interestingly, Western European candidates, which have historically been prominent in such competitions, are now notably scarce. Hungary, Germany, and Denmark have shown interest during the “preliminary investigation” phase but have not yet submitted official bids to the IOC. Meanwhile, five cities from Asia, the Middle East, and South America have already confirmed official bids, and new candidates from other regions may emerge. This shift reflects a changing geographic and economic focus for Olympic hosting.

Middle East Candidate: Doha’s Strategic Advantage

Doha, Qatar, positions itself as the “Sports Capital of the Middle East” and is a strong contender to host the 2036 Olympics. Although it has previously applied multiple times without success, over the past decade, Doha has built a solid track record of hosting major international sporting events, including World Championships in athletics, gymnastics, and swimming.

Doha’s strength lies in its well-developed sports infrastructure. Nine football stadiums from the 2022 Qatar World Cup remain as legacy assets, alleviating concerns about venue and hotel shortages. Additionally, Doha plans to emphasize “sustainability” in its bid, proposing to utilize existing facilities and incorporate environmentally friendly practices.

Asia’s Two Major Contenders: India and Indonesia’s Ambitions

India, the world’s most populous country, has long aspired to host the Olympics. New Delhi hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 but faced logistical challenges that prevented it from becoming a serious candidate. This time, the prosperous city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat has been selected as the bid city, with French President Emmanuel Macron supporting India’s bid and promising to transfer expertise from Paris 2024. India Olympic Association President PT Usha emphasizes that hosting the Olympics would have a “generational impact on all Indians.”

Meanwhile, Indonesia, another major Asian nation, has expressed interest in hosting. Despite being the fourth most populous country, it has been considered a “sleeping giant” in sports. The new capital, Nusantara, has been proposed as the host city. Since Nusantara is still under construction, preparations are also being considered for hosting the Youth Olympics in 2030 as a stepping stone. Indonesia’s Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotejo stated, “If prepared properly, Indonesia has the capacity to host the Olympics,” and is considering a decentralized bid involving multiple cities such as Jakarta and Palembang.

Istanbul and Santiago—Turkey and Chile’s Determination

Istanbul, Turkey, which has previously bid multiple times, is making its sixth bid. Infrastructure issues, especially related to the Bosporus Strait, have been a persistent weakness. The city’s complex geography requires diverse transportation modes—subways, cars, ships, buses—that have yet to be fully improved.

However, Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, declared, “The enthusiasm of our citizens is at the heart of our bid,” and aims to build trust with the IOC through hosting complex multi-sport events like the 2027 European Games and European Para Championships.

South America’s Santiago is also emerging as a strong candidate. Having hosted the 2023 Pan American Games, Chile is confident in its ability to realize an Olympics set against the stunning backdrop of the Andes. Since Rio 2016, South America has not hosted the Olympics, and Chilean President Gabriel Boric has stated, “Chile has the right to dream bigger,” advocating for the continent’s return to the Olympic stage.

Emerging Candidates and Voting Outlook

While these five cities have confirmed bids, other potential candidates include Jeollabuk-do in South Korea, multiple cities in Egypt, and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has already announced plans to host its first eSports Olympic event in 2027, laying groundwork for future Olympic bids.

The final decision on the host city will be made by a voting committee of over 100 IOC members. IOC President Kristi Coventory, still acclimating to her role, is not rushing major decisions. Some speculate a vote could occur as early as 2027, but given the current pace, it is more likely that the next host for the 2036 Olympics will be announced between 2027 and 2028.