South Africa has officially entered the race to host the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, aiming to become the first African country to stage the event since the modern Olympics began in 1896.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed on 6 October 2026 that South Africa is among seven countries in “continuous dialogue” over potential bids for the 2036 Games, alongside Germany, Hungary, India, Qatar, Türkiye and South Korea. South Africa’s proposal involves hosting the Games across three cities: Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
If successful, South Africa would make history by bringing the Olympic Games to Africa for the first time. The country has previously hosted major international sporting events, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and its bid is backed by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the national government.
The bid follows Cabinet approval in November 2025 for South Africa to pursue either the 2036 or 2040 Games. SASCOC president Barry Hendricks confirmed that the country is officially preparing to bid for both editions, with a focus on securing one of the two available slots.
South Africa’s proposal centres on a three-city hosting model, with Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg sharing the Games. This approach is designed to distribute the economic and logistical benefits across multiple regions while leveraging existing infrastructure in each city.
Durban was previously selected to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games but withdrew in 2017, a factor that may be considered in the IOC’s assessment. Despite this, the South African Olympic Committee remains confident in the country’s ability to deliver a successful Games.
South Africa faces stiff competition from six other countries, with Qatar widely seen as the frontrunner, followed by India and Hungary. The IOC’s open-ended process also allows countries to target future Games in 2040 and 2044, giving South Africa a fallback option if the 2036 bid falls short.
The selection process will involve virtual presentations by interested parties in November 2026, followed by IOC feasibility assessments by March 2027. A shortlist will then be drawn up, with the host expected to be announced by mid-2029.
For South Africa, the bid represents both an opportunity and a challenge. Hosting the Olympics would be a major boost for the country’s international profile and could drive investment in infrastructure and sports development, but it would also require significant resources and coordination across three cities.
Questions have been raised about the state of South Africa’s sports administration, with ongoing turmoil at various federations potentially complicating the bid. However, the government’s renewed commitment and the country’s track record of hosting major events give the bid a credible foundation.
For Africa, South Africa’s bid is a significant moment in the continent’s sporting history. A successful Games would not only be a first for Africa but could also inspire greater investment in sports infrastructure and development across the continent.
As the process unfolds, attention will be on whether South Africa can overcome the competition and logistical challenges to bring the Olympic Games to African soil for the first time. The coming years will be critical in determining whether this historic bid becomes a reality.
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