India has officially confirmed its ambition to host the 2036 Summer Olympic Games, emerging as one of the strongest contenders in what is expected to become an increasingly competitive race.
The announcement could present a significant challenge to Budapest’s long-discussed Olympic aspirations, as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) prepares to begin its revamped selection process. Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that India is committing its “full strength” to securing the Games, underlining the country’s determination to stage the world’s biggest sporting event.
India unveils nationwide Olympic vision
Rather than concentrating the Games in a single city, India is proposing a multi-city Olympic model designed to turn the event into a nationwide sporting celebration. The primary hub would be Ahmedabad, which is expected to host athletics, basketball, volleyball, shooting, tennis, aquatic events and urban sports. Major infrastructure developments in the city are already underway, independently of the Olympic bid. Other venues would spread competitions across the country:
- Mumbai would stage cricket, India’s most popular sport.
- Pune would host canoe sprint events.
- Bhopal is planned as the venue for rowing.
- Bhubaneswar would organise hockey competitions.
The Ahmedabad region is also preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, providing an opportunity to test many of the facilities and organisational capabilities ahead of a potential Olympic bid.
IOC’s new selection process
The IOC introduced a revised host selection framework last month, with the final decision on the 2036 Olympic host expected in mid-2029. The process will unfold in three stages.
Initially, confidential discussions will take place with interested parties. From March 2027, the IOC will enter a targeted dialogue with selected candidates, evaluating their proposals through detailed assessments, including site inspections.
Towards the end of 2028, the IOC is expected to identify one or more preferred hosts. Remaining candidates will then be required to provide formal guarantees while refining their proposals before the organisation’s members vote on the successful host during the IOC Session in mid-2029.
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Budapest gets serious international competitors
India’s confirmation adds another heavyweight competitor to an already crowded field. Besides India, Hungary, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Germany have all expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics. While Budapest has repeatedly signalled its desire to bring the Games to the Hungarian capital, no official shortlist has yet been announced under the IOC’s new procedure, writes Pénzcentrum.
India’s vast population, rapidly expanding infrastructure and government-backed commitment are likely to make its campaign one of the most closely watched in the coming years. The previous Summer Olympics were held in Paris in 2024, while Los Angeles will host the 2028 Games and Brisbane is scheduled to welcome athletes in 2032. The contest to stage the 2036 Olympics is now beginning in earnest, with Budapest facing increasingly formidable international rivals.
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