PM Modi Affirms India's Strong Bid for 2036 Olympic Games

India's Olympic Ambition Reiterated

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again affirmed India's robust preparations and strong intent to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Speaking on Sunday, January 4, 2026, during the inaugural function of the 72nd National Volleyball Championship in Varanasi via video conference, the Prime Minister underscored the nation's commitment to bringing the prestigious quadrennial event to Indian soil. This follows his formal declaration of interest at the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in October 2023 and a reiteration during his Independence Day speech in August 2024.

PM Modi highlighted India's increasing capability to manage large-scale international events, citing successful hosting of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the Hockey World Cup, and various chess tournaments over the past decade. He also noted that India is slated to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which is expected to further bolster sports infrastructure and showcase the country's organizational prowess. The Prime Minister stated, 'India is now actively preparing to bid for the 2036 Olympics.'

Ahmedabad Pitched as Host City Amidst Bidding Process

The city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat has been consistently proposed as the primary host city for India's 2036 Olympic bid. An Indian delegation visited the IOC headquarters in Lausanne in July 2025 to officially present Ahmedabad as the prospective host. Preparations include the development of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave in Ahmedabad to meet Olympic standards, alongside a twin-city development plan involving Gandhinagar.

The IOC's bidding process has evolved to a 'continuous dialogue' approach, moving away from fixed election cycles. While the IOC paused its host selection process in June 2025 to reassess its methodology, India's bid remains active. India formally submitted a Letter of Intent to host the 2036 Olympics in October 2024. A final decision on the 2036 host is not anticipated before late 2027. International support for India's bid has also emerged, with French President Emmanuel Macron offering assistance in January 2024, proposing Franco-Indian cooperation to exchange expertise from the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

Vision, Investment, and Sporting Development

Hosting the 2036 Olympics is viewed as a matter of national pride and a significant step for India on the global sporting stage. The estimated cost for Ahmedabad to host the Games ranges between $4 billion (Rs 34,700 crore) and $7.47 billion (Rs 64,000 crore). This substantial investment is intended to create world-class facilities and further develop the nation's sports ecosystem.

The government's commitment extends to nurturing athletic talent through initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). Furthermore, the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) of the Sports Authority of India has proposed the inclusion of native Indian sports such as yoga, kabaddi, and kho-kho in the 2036 Olympics, alongside other popular sports like chess and T20 cricket, aiming to showcase India's diverse sporting heritage.