India’s 2036 Olympics bid enters new IOC phase, host to be chosen in 2029

India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics entered a new phase on Wednesday after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved changes to the host selection process and set a timeline for the final host to be selected by mid-2029.

At the 146th session of the IOC in Lausanne, members approved the introduction of a new phase of “strategic dialogue” between the existing phases of continuous dialogue and targeted dialogue. The move aims to make the selection process more transparent while requiring potential hosts to provide stronger financial and operational guarantees earlier in the bidding cycle.

for India, which has formally entered the race for the 2036 Games after submitting its Letter of Intent in 2024decision provides more clarity on the path ahead, but also adds another level of control before choosing a host.

As part of the revised process, states currently engaged in continuous dialogue with the IOC will be assessed over the next year before a shortlist of interested parties is drawn up in March 2027. The selected parties then proceed to the strategic dialogue phase, where they must submit answers to the Prospective Host Questionnaire and provide basic financial guarantees.

Future Host Commission President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic said the additional phase was introduced based on feedback from both IOC members and potential host countries.

“Potential hosts wanted more clarity. All stakeholders wanted more transparency,” she said, outlining the updated framework.

A KEY YEAR AWAITS

The strategic dialogue phase is expected to become a critical checkpoint in the race for the 2036 Olympic Games. Candidate cities will be assessed on financial commitments, cost control measures, administrative structures and their ability to secure venues and infrastructure within the prescribed deadlines.

The IOC will also conduct site visits before deciding which bids will advance to the final stage of the process.

India is widely seen as one of the leading contenders for the 2036 Games, with Ahmedabad central to its bid. However, the country’s bid is expected to face stiff competition, particularly from Qatar, while Turkey and South Africa are also exploring campaigns for the Games.

The final phase of the targeted dialogue will begin in 2028, with the preferred hosts having to submit a full set of legal and financial guarantees before the IOC accepts the final call.

THE HOST WILL BE DECIDED IN 2029

According to the schedule presented at the IOC meeting, the future host commission will present its recommendations after the targeted dialogue process is completed. The IOC Executive Board will then determine the preferred hosts, whose names will be put forward for election at the IOC meeting in mid-2029.

The decision means that India’s Olympic ambitions will be assessed over the next three years before a final verdict is reached.

The host selection process was put on hold last year after IOC President Kirsty Coventry called for wider consultation with member states and potential hosts. The addition of the strategic dialogue phase is intended to address these concerns while ensuring that only bids with strong financial backgrounds and realistic delivery plans advance to the final stages.

For India, the approval of the new framework marks the beginning of what could be the most important phase of its bid to host the Olympics for the first time.

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Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

June 24, 2026 10:56 PM IST