Can Budapest host the Olympics? Insight from a sports expert: ‘Hungary is an underdog with a chance’

Budapest’s aspirations to host the Olympics have sparked renewed discussions, with Mayor Gergely Karácsony engaging in early-stage consultations. Sports journalist Tamás Szekeres shared insights into Hungary’s chances under the evolving selection process for Olympic Games hosts, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony has announced his participation in exploratory talks at the invitation of the Hungarian Olympic Committee (Magyar Olimpiai Bizottság, MOB) and the Hungarian Paralympic Committee (Magyar Paralimpiai Bizottság, MPB) concerning the possibility of hosting a future Olympic Games. By accepting this role, Karácsony will initiate a dialogue on Budapest’s candidacy and update the city council on the process as it unfolds. His position grants him the authority to make decisions between council sessions, which was upheld following a recent vote that rejected plans to limit this power, Hírklikk reports. A comprehensive feasibility study, including urban development strategies, is to be prepared and opened for public discussion by 30 September 2026.

Hungary “an underdog with a chance” at hosting the Olympics

Tamás Szekeres, a sports journalist and senior contributor at Sportal.hu, expressed cautious optimism in an interview with Hírklikk.

“Hungary is an underdog with a chance,”

he remarked, underscoring the challenges Budapest faces in its pursuit of hosting rights. He explained that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has revamped its selection process to prevent the costly and corruption-prone bidding wars of the past. Previously, cities would campaign heavily, expending vast sums and engaging in intense lobbying to secure support. The new system, aimed at reducing expenses and promoting transparency, eliminates these campaigns and replaces them with direct evaluation by an IOC committee.

The Olympics Park in Budapest, Hungary. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Next potential opportunity to host the Olympics in 2036

According to Szekeres, the current process involves a series of consultations, after which the committee selects the most suitable candidate following detailed negotiations. The IOC has already chosen Brisbane as the host for the 2032 Summer Olympics, with Los Angeles set to host in 2028. This leaves 2036 as the next potential opportunity for a European city to win hosting rights. However, competition remains fierce, with several strong contenders already in view, including proposals from other major cities globally.

Szekeres noted that Budapest’s candidacy must align with the IOC’s new emphasis on sustainability and cost-effectiveness, factors that could either hinder or bolster the city’s bid depending on how these aspects are incorporated into the feasibility study. He emphasised the importance of demonstrating tangible benefits to the local population and showcasing existing infrastructure to avoid the pitfalls of excessive new construction that has marred past host cities.

The path to hosting an Olympic Games is long and complex, but as Karácsony’s announcement signals, Budapest is willing to embark on this journey. Whether the city can present a compelling, sustainable plan that meets the rigorous standards of the IOC remains to be seen.

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