IOC to Decide 2036 Olympic Host in 2029 as Reforms Pass

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The International Olympic Committee has passed a landmark reform plan that will see the host city for the 2036 Olympic Games decided in mid-2029, introducing a new three-stage bidding process designed to make Olympic hosting more transparent, accessible, and sustainable. The decision, taken at the IOC’s 146th Session on June 24, marks a significant departure from the fast-track approach used for recent Games.

A New Era Under Coventry

The reforms, championed by IOC President Kirsty Coventry under her “Fit for the Future” (F4F) agenda, represent the most consequential changes to Olympic host selection since the adoption of Olympic Agenda 2020. Coventry, who took office in June 2025 as the first female IOC President, paused the 2036 fast-track bidding process in her first major decision, responding to member concerns about the lack of transparency in previous selections.

Under former President Thomas Bach, the IOC had moved toward a non-competitive “targeted dialogue” approach, resulting in Los Angeles being awarded 2028 and Brisbane securing 2032 through uncontested processes. The new framework restores a competitive vote, giving IOC members a direct say in host selection.

The Three-Stage Selection Process

The new timeline establishes a structured pathway for potential hosts. According to ABC News, the IOC set a target of 2029 to pick a 2036 Olympics host in a contest that has long been targeted by India and Qatar.

Key milestones include:

March 2027: The IOC Executive Board shortlists candidates from the “Continuous Dialogue” pool into “Strategic Dialogue.” Candidates must respond to the Future Host Questionnaire and submit core financial guarantees.
End of 2028: The Executive Board selects “Preferred Host(s)” for “Targeted Dialogue,” requiring full legal and financial guarantees from host governments.
Mid-2029: The full IOC Session votes to elect the 2036 Olympic host.

“Potential hosts wanted greater clarity. All stakeholders wanted greater transparency,” said Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, the former President of Croatia who chairs the Future Host Commission, as reported by Deccan Chronicle.

Event Program Overhaul

Alongside the host selection reforms, the IOC approved a significant change to Olympic event programming. The evaluation unit shifts from “sports” to “disciplines,” a technical change that the Xinhua News Agency reports will inject more flexibility into the Olympic program.

Under the new framework, host cities can propose up to four new Summer Olympic disciplines and two new Winter Olympic disciplines. Core sports and disciplines will be confirmed seven years before each Games, with specific events and athlete quotas finalized after the previous Olympics. This system will be implemented starting with the 2032 Brisbane Games.

The Contenders

At least 10 potential bids were in ongoing talks with the IOC when Coventry paused the process. The leading contenders include:

India has submitted a Letter of Intent for a bid centered on Ahmedabad, backed by strong political support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The country was awarded the 2030 Commonwealth Games as a stepping stone and has proposed a multi-city bid with an estimated budget of $7.5 billion.

Qatar claims 95% of required infrastructure already exists following its hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and numerous other international events. The Qatar Olympic Committee appointed a bid CEO in June 2026, positioning the nation as a strong candidate.

Turkey launched Istanbul’s bid in July 2021 — the city’s sixth attempt to host the Games — while South Africa has proposed a multi-city bid that would bring the Olympics to Africa for the first time.

Analysis and Implications

The reforms represent a strategic pivot for the Olympic movement. The more transparent process may restore faith in host selection after years of opaque decisions, but it also introduces new dynamics. Financial guarantees are required earlier in the process, potentially favoring wealthier nations, while the competitive vote empowers IOC members who felt sidelined under the previous administration.

For India, the new timeline delays but does not derail its ambitions. The additional time allows for infrastructure development and public support building, though it also extends the wait for a decision. Qatar, with its existing infrastructure and recent major event experience, enters the race as an early frontrunner, though human rights concerns that dogged its World Cup bid are likely to resurface.

What’s Next

The IOC has indicated it may publish a list of interested parties later this year, with Grabar-Kitarović suggesting around eight bidders could be in contention. The 2036 host election is set for an IOC Session in mid-2029 at a venue yet to be decided, with the selected host set to welcome the world exactly a century after the Olympic torch relay began in 1936.