India is preparing to present its bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Future Host Commission in November, marking an important step in the country’s ambition to stage the world’s biggest sporting event. With Ahmedabad proposed as the host city, India will compete with six other countries seeking the opportunity to organise the Games.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P.T. Usha have outlined the vision for India’s bid under the theme “Rising Together”. The proposal aims to position the Olympics as more than a sporting spectacle, presenting them as an opportunity to strengthen sports infrastructure, encourage participation and create lasting benefits for communities.
India formally expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Games in 2024. The IOC has now confirmed seven interested parties: India, Germany, Hungary, Qatar, South Korea, South Africa and Türkiye. All seven have been invited to present their respective projects to the Future Host Commission in November.
The upcoming presentations will be an early test of each country’s preparedness. Being included among the interested parties does not guarantee a place on the final shortlist, as the IOC will assess the proposals before deciding which candidates advance to the next stage.
The selection process will examine several factors, including venue plans, athlete experience, funding arrangements, political and public support, the ability to deliver the Games and plans for creating a lasting legacy. The IOC has emphasised that athletes must remain at the centre of every host proposal.
The next major milestone is expected in March 2027, when the IOC Executive Board will identify the candidates that can progress to the strategic dialogue stage. Preferred hosts are expected to enter a more detailed evaluation process in December 2028, with the final host scheduled to be elected by IOC members in mid-2029.
Ahmedabad is central to India’s Olympic ambitions. The Gujarat city is being positioned as the main venue for the proposed Games, supported by plans to expand sports infrastructure and develop a large sports enclave around the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave. The city is also home to the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket stadium by seating capacity.
India’s plans extend beyond 2036. Ahmedabad is scheduled to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which could provide valuable experience in organising a major international multi-sport event. The country hopes that successful delivery of upcoming competitions will strengthen its credentials and demonstrate its ability to manage an event on the scale of the Olympics.
The challenge, however, is considerable. India has never hosted the Summer Olympic Games and faces competitors with stronger records in organising major international sporting events. Germany has experience from the 1972 Munich Olympics, while South Korea hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Qatar, meanwhile, demonstrated its ability to stage a major global competition through the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Hungary, Türkiye and South Africa are also seeking to strengthen their positions. South Africa’s proposal carries the possibility of bringing the Olympics to Africa for the first time, while Budapest and Istanbul offer established sporting and urban infrastructure. Each candidate will need to demonstrate that its plans are financially viable, operationally sound and capable of delivering a strong experience for athletes and spectators.
India must also address concerns about sports governance, doping and its relatively limited Olympic medal record. Disputes over the administration of the Indian Olympic Association have previously raised questions about the country’s readiness to host major events. Officials have indicated that improvements in governance, anti-doping education and international event management will be important to strengthening the bid.
The government and the IOA have also highlighted the wider benefits of hosting the Olympics. These include encouraging young people to take up sports, improving access to training facilities, creating employment and attracting investment in transport, accommodation and other infrastructure. The long-term value of such investments will depend on whether facilities remain accessible and useful after the Games conclude.
India’s proposed bid comes as the IOC adopts a more structured approach to selecting future hosts, with greater emphasis on feasibility, sustainability and athlete welfare. The process is intended to ensure that ambitious proposals are backed by credible financing, public support and clear plans for long-term development.
The 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles, followed by Brisbane in 2032. India’s immediate priority is to make a convincing case in the upcoming presentation and secure a place in the next phase of the 2036 selection process.
Winning the bid would be a landmark achievement for Indian sport, but the road ahead remains competitive. The coming months will show whether Ahmedabad’s infrastructure plans, government backing and promise of a broader sporting legacy can persuade the IOC that India is ready to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
