IOC confirms Hungary among seven in 2036 Olympic dialogue

Hungary is one of seven parties in continuous dialogue with the International Olympic Committee over the 2036 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, the IOC confirmed on Tuesday. The others are Germany, India, Qatar, South Korea, South Africa and Türkiye. The IOC did not disclose exactly which cities, alongside Munich, are in the running, DW reported. Daily News Hungary listed Budapest as Hungary's proposed host city and named Munich, Ahmedabad, Doha and Istanbul for Germany, India, Qatar and Türkiye. The Times of India reported that South Korea's domestic candidate is Jeonbuk, with Jeonju as its focal city, while Seoul is also involved, and that South Africa is considering a multi-city or nationwide model.

The IOC says potential hosts will be assessed on venue masterplan, athlete experience, funding strategy, political and public support, ability to deliver the Games and plans for a long-term legacy. Projects will also be judged on how well they fit local development plans and the goals of the Olympic movement. IOC President Kirsty Coventry said:

"Wherever the Games take place, one thing must never change: Athletes have to be at the heart of everything we do."

Budapest's existing-venue plan

Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony said in September that the city's Olympic concept does not require state spending during the current parliamentary term and does not include construction of new stadiums. He described it primarily as an urban development strategy focused on improving infrastructure in Budapest and across Hungary. He said an eventual Games would be organised with as many major cities and other municipalities outside Budapest as possible. Yahoo Sports, citing Euronews, reported that the plan leans on existing facilities and could stage some events in Austria and Slovakia. Hungarian Olympic Committee President Zsolt Gyulay has called for talks between the city government and national officials on feasibility, and political support remains uncertain following Hungary's change of government earlier this year.

Political support unstated

The Tisza Party and Prime Minister Péter Magyar have not publicly stated whether they support Budapest's bid since taking office, Telex reported. Daily News Hungary reported that Magyar previously expressed reservations. In 2024 he said Hungary did not need an Olympics under the circumstances at the time, while arguing the event could become a national project if it had broad public support. He also said Tisza would only seriously consider a bid if the government provided additional funding for healthcare, education and social services, restored funding to Budapest and organised a national referendum on the issue.

Budapest's 2024 withdrawal

Budapest bid for the 2024 Games and withdrew in 2017 after the Momentum movement collected around 266,000 signatures for a referendum on the proposal, Daily News Hungary reported. Since then Hungary has continued to develop major sports infrastructure, including the Puskás Arena, MVM Dome, National Athletics Centre and Duna Arena, and Budapest has hosted the 2022 World Aquatics Championships and the 2023 World Athletics Championships. Those developments have often been cited as evidence that Hungary now has much of the infrastructure needed to host an Olympic Games.

What happens next

Interested parties have until 31 October 2026 to formally indicate their interest, and the IOC says no additional candidates will be considered after that date, Daily News Hungary reported. DW reported there could be further applicants before the deadline and that the candidates will present their projects virtually to the IOC's Future Host Commission in November 2026. By March 2027, the IOC is expected to complete feasibility assessments and open a more detailed Strategic Dialogue with the candidates. The IOC Executive Board will then narrow the field. In December 2028, the selected Preferred Hosts will enter a final Targeted Dialogue with the IOC and provide detailed plans and financial and legal guarantees. The 2036 host is expected to be elected by IOC members in mid-2029. The timetable follows changes to the IOC's host selection process, Yahoo Sports reported.