Seven countries are vying to stage the 2036 Olympic Games, as confirmed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). India and Qatar are among the prominent contenders, with neither nation having previously hosted the Games.
The other nations in the running for hosting rights include South Africa, South Korea, Germany, Hungary, and Turkey. South Korea and Germany are the only countries on the current list that have previously hosted the Games, with Seoul staging the 1988 summer edition and Berlin and Munich hosting in 1936 and 1972 respectively.
Formal bids for the 2036 Games must be submitted by the end of this month. Following this, the interested parties will enter a dialogue process, which will conclude with a final vote by IOC members in 2029.
India has long been considered a front-runner, with Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat, at the centre of its ambitions. Gujarat is the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Ahmedabad is also set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Qatar, another strong contender, plans to utilise infrastructure developed for its successful 2022 football World Cup. The Gulf state previously made unsuccessful bids for the 2016 and 2020 Games.
Germany's candidate city is Munich, which secured the right to bid on behalf of the country after a vote by the German sports authority, the DOSB, late last month.