The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially acknowledged that seven nations are currently in the running to host the 2036 Summer Olympic Games. While the IOC has not released specific details regarding the status of each bid, the list of interested parties includes India, Qatar, South Africa, Turkiye, Germany, Hungary, and South Korea.

The bidding process for the Olympics has evolved in recent years, moving away from a traditional competitive race toward a more collaborative approach. The IOC now utilizes a 'Future Host Commission' to engage in dialogue with interested parties before recommending a preferred candidate to the executive board. This shift is intended to reduce the financial burden on host cities and ensure that the games align with the long-term development goals of the host nation.

Each of the seven countries brings a different profile to the table. For nations like India and Qatar, hosting the Olympics would represent a significant milestone in their efforts to establish themselves as major global sports hubs. Meanwhile, European nations like Germany and Hungary, along with South Korea and South Africa, offer varying levels of existing infrastructure and experience in hosting international sporting events. The IOC has not provided a timeline for when a final decision will be made, noting only that the process remains in the preliminary stages of dialogue.