Olympics: could South Africa host the Games in 2036?

The IOC announced the news in a statement on Tuesday 6 October. South Africa, Germany, South Korea, Hungary, India, Qatar and Türkiye have expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics.

If South Africa’s project succeeds, it would be the first African nation to host the Games. The prospect attracts interest, with the country having already demonstrated its ability to stage major international sporting events.

How the projects will be assessed

Projects will be assessed against several technical criteria: the venue masterplan and athlete experience, financing strategy, political and public support, organisational capacity and lasting benefits for host communities.

The IOC will also consider each project’s vision, its alignment with local development plans and its consistency with the Olympic Movement’s goals.

Interested parties were invited to present their projects to the Future Host Commission in November. Under the announced timetable, no new expressions of interest for 2036 will be considered after 31 October 2026.

What does South Africa have to offer?

There is still a long way to go before a Summer Olympics in Africa. South Africa does, however, have considerable experience hosting major international competitions, including the 1995 Rugby World Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Its sporting and transport infrastructure could be an advantage in preparing such an event, although its ability to meet Olympic requirements would need assessment.

Awarding the Games to South Africa would mark a historic moment for the continent. Dakar, Senegal, is already set to host the Youth Olympic Games from 31 October to 13 November 2026, the first Olympic event on African soil. Whether that momentum can continue ten years later with the Summer Games remains to be seen.