The International Olympic Committee on Tuesday confirmed South Africa and Qatar among seven countries in Continuous Dialogue to host the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In an official statement, the IOC listed the Interested Parties in alphabetical order as Germany, Hungary, India, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, South Africa and Türkiye. The body said these nations have a stated interest in staging the Games and have been invited to present their projects to the Future Host Commission in November.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry stressed the priority of the athlete experience. “Wherever the Games take place, one thing must never change: athletes have to be at the heart of everything we do,” Coventry said. “That is why, for every future host, delivering the best possible experience for the athletes must always be the starting point.”
No additional Interested Parties will be considered for 2036 after the October 31 deadline, the IOC stated. The Executive Board is expected to shortlist candidates for Strategic Dialogue in March 2027. Preferred Hosts would enter Targeted Dialogue in December 2028, with IOC members set to elect the host in mid-2029.
Projects will be assessed on technical factors including venue masterplans, athlete experience, funding strategies, political and public support, delivery capabilities and long-term legacy benefits for host communities, according to the IOC.
South Africa aims to become the first African host of the modern Summer Olympics, drawing on its experience organising the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Qatar, centred on Doha, highlights its infrastructure and record of staging major events including the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The process follows reforms approved by the IOC Executive Board and endorsed at the 146th IOC Session in Lausanne in June 2026 as part of the “Fit for the Future” initiative.
