Munich Faces Six Rivals in Race for 2036 Summer Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has disclosed that at least six countries are preparing bids to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, intensifying the competition for Germany’s chosen candidate city, Munich.

Alongside Germany, the nations of Hungary, Turkey, India, Qatar, South Korea, and South Africa have expressed their intent to compete for the event. These candidates are currently participating in the “Continuous Dialogue” phase with the IOC.

Munich secured its position as Germany’s sole representative late last month, defeating the Cologne/Rhine-Ruhr region in a vote by the German Olympic Sports Confederation. The selection followed the withdrawal of Berlin’s bid just days before the decision. Munich, which previously hosted the 1972 Summer Games, is not relying solely on the 2036 cycle; its proposal was also designed to be viable for the 2040 and 2044 editions.

While the IOC has not officially named every city in the running, observers believe potential bidders include Ahmedabad and Doha from Asia, as well as Budapest and Istanbul from Europe. The deadline for interested parties to formally submit bids is October 31. Following this, candidates will present their plans virtually to the Future Host Commission in November.

The evaluation process will continue into next year, with the IOC scheduled to analyze and narrow the field during deliberations in March 2027. A “Strategic Dialogue” stage is expected in 2028, leading to a final decision at the IOC Session in the summer of 2029.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized that athlete welfare remains central to the selection criteria. “Wherever the Games take place, one thing must never change: athletes have to be at the heart of everything we do,” Coventry stated. The former Zimbabwean swimmer, who won gold medals in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Games, added that delivering the “best possible experience for the athletes” must be the starting point for every future host.

Bids are being assessed on technical factors, including venue master plans, financing strategies, political and public support, delivery capacity, and sustainability measures. The German Olympic Sports Confederation has expressed confidence that Munich is well-positioned across all these areas.

However, Munich may face a similarly crowded field if it does not win in 2036, as other National Olympic Committees are reportedly engaged in preliminary talks regarding future Games beyond the 2036 cycle.