India, Qatar and South Africa are among seven countries pursuing the 2036 Olympics, with five contenders seeking to host the Summer Games for the first time.
Germany, Hungary, South Korea and Türkiye complete the field confirmed by the International Olympic Committee, with the host expected to be selected in mid-2029.
India’s proposal centres on Ahmedabad, which will stage the 2030 Commonwealth Games and is home to the world’s largest cricket stadium, the 132,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium.
The country previously explored hosting the 2032 Olympics before shifting its focus to 2036.
It has never staged the Games, but New Delhi hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
Qatar is making another attempt through Doha after unsuccessful bids for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, neither of which reached the final shortlist.
The country hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, while Doha staged the 2006 Asian Games and will welcome the event again in 2030.
A successful bid would bring the Summer Olympics to the Middle East for the first time, although the heat could require the Games to move beyond their usual July-August window.
South Africa is proposing a bid involving Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, aiming to bring the Summer Games to Africa for the first time.
Cape Town previously reached the final voting stages for the 2004 Olympics, which were awarded to Athens.
Hungary is returning with Budapest, which withdrew its bid for the 2024 Olympics following a petition calling for a referendum on the proposal.
The capital has pursued several previous editions without success, leaving Hungary among the countries still seeking their first Games.
Türkiye is putting forward Istanbul, which has made five unsuccessful bids for the Summer Olympics.
Its closest attempt came in the contest for 2020, when it reached the final round of voting before losing to Tokyo.
Germany and South Korea are the only countries in the current field to have hosted the Summer Games.
Germany has selected Munich, the venue for the 1972 Olympics, while South Korea’s proposal is anchored in Seoul, which hosted in 1988.
The contenders will present their plans to the IOC in November, with a shortlist due in March 2027. Other interested countries have until October 31 to come forward.
Los Angeles will host the next Summer Olympics in 2028, followed by Brisbane in 2032.
