Durban Olympic Bid: Why Durban Was Picked for 2036 or 2040 and What Happens Next
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What SASCOC Announced on 29 October 2026
The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) made the announcement at its offices in Melrose, Johannesburg. Acting president Lwandile Simelane said Durban is the city South Africa will work with on its bid. The bid would bring the Olympics and Paralympics to Africa for the first time.
Three cities sent proposals: Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. An independent panel, chaired by Ruben Reddy, judged them against IOC guidelines. In October 2026 the panel received presentations from each city and visited possible venues. SASCOC said the result was closely contested.
Cabinet has given formal support for the project, which SASCOC runs with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture under Minister Gayton McKenzie.
Simelane was careful about one point. He said the announcement does not yet give Durban any formal status with the IOC. In simple terms, Durban is the city South Africa will put forward, but the IOC has not accepted or rejected anything.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Which city? | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal |
| Which Games? | The 2036 or the 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games |
| Who announced it? | SASCOC, on 29 October 2026 |
| Other cities considered | Johannesburg and Cape Town |
| Government support | Cabinet approved support for the bid |
| Stage with the IOC | Continuous Dialogue (the first, informal stage) |
| Next step | Presentation to the IOC Future Host Commission in November 2026 |
| When is the 2036 host chosen? | At the IOC Session in mid-2029 |
The IOC Timeline: What Happens Next
The IOC no longer runs a single big vote years ahead with many cities campaigning in public. It now talks to interested countries in stages, and only invites the strongest projects to the next stage. For 2036, the steps are:
| When | Step |
|---|---|
| 31 October 2026 | Last day for new countries to join the 2036 race |
| November 2026 | Virtual presentations by each interested country to the IOC Future Host Commission, including South Africa |
| By March 2027 | IOC feasibility checks are finished, and the IOC shortlists countries for a new “Strategic Dialogue” stage |
| 2027 to 2028 | Shortlisted countries answer the IOC’s Future Host Questionnaire and provide core financial guarantees |
| December 2028 | The IOC Executive Board invites one or more Preferred Hosts into “Targeted Dialogue” |
| Mid-2029 | IOC members elect the host of the 2036 Games |
The Strategic Dialogue stage was added by IOC members in June 2026 to bring more financial checks and cost control into the process. March 2027 is the first real test for Durban: if South Africa is not shortlisted, the 2036 bid ends there, although a 2040 bid could still follow.
Who South Africa Is Up Against for 2036
The IOC lists seven countries in Continuous Dialogue for the 2036 Games:
| Country | Note |
|---|---|
| South Africa | Durban named on 29 October 2026 |
| India | Ahmedabad is India’s planned host city |
| Qatar | In Continuous Dialogue |
| Germany | In Continuous Dialogue |
| Hungary | In Continuous Dialogue |
| Türkiye | In Continuous Dialogue |
| Republic of Korea | In Continuous Dialogue |
Because the bid is for “2036 or 2040”, South Africa keeps a second chance if another country is picked for 2036.
What the Plan Says About Venues and Cost
SASCOC has not published a venue list or a budget. What it has said so far:
- Existing venues come first, then upgrades of established facilities, and temporary venues where that makes sense.
- Any new permanent building must have a clear long-term sporting or public use after the Games.
- A regional hosting idea is planned, so some events could be held outside Durban. The IOC now allows Games to be spread over more than one city.
- A full venue plan and a funding plan are still needed before the IOC’s later stages.
So far, no rand figure for the cost of a Durban Games has been given by SASCOC or the government. Be careful with any number you see shared online until an official budget is published.
Why Durban’s Past Matters: the 2022 Commonwealth Games
Durban has been through a big bid before. It won the right to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, but in March 2017 the Commonwealth Games Federation took the Games away, after problems with money, budget disagreements and missed deadlines.
That history is one reason the IOC’s new focus on financial guarantees matters for Durban. Supporters point to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, when Durban hosted matches at Moses Mabhida Stadium, as proof that the city can stage a global event.
South Africa has bid for the Olympics once before: Cape Town bid for the 2004 Games, which went to Athens in a vote in 1997.
What It Means for You Right Now
For now, nothing changes for people in Durban or anywhere else in South Africa. There are no tickets, no volunteer sign-ups and no building projects linked to the bid. Those would only come years after a win in 2029 or later.
Watch for these dates instead: the IOC presentation in November 2026 and the shortlist decision in March 2027. We will update this page when either happens. For other big events South Africa is hosting sooner, see the Cricket World Cup 2027 in South Africa guide.
Durban Olympic Bid Questions
Will Durban host the Olympics?
Not yet. On 29 October 2026 SASCOC named Durban as South Africa’s preferred city for a 2036 or 2040 bid. The IOC still has to shortlist South Africa in March 2027, and the 2036 host is only elected in mid-2029.
Why was Durban chosen over Johannesburg and Cape Town?
An independent panel chaired by Ruben Reddy compared the three cities against IOC guidelines, after presentations and venue visits in October 2026. SASCOC said all three were strong and the result was close, but it has not published the detailed scores.
When will the 2036 Olympic host be announced?
IOC members are set to elect the 2036 host at the IOC Session in mid-2029. Before that, the IOC shortlists countries in March 2027 and invites Preferred Hosts into Targeted Dialogue in December 2028.
Has Africa ever hosted the Olympic Games?
No. Africa has never hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which is why SASCOC calls this a bid to bring the Games to Africa for the first time.
Which countries are bidding for the 2036 Olympics?
The IOC lists seven: South Africa, India, Qatar, Germany, Hungary, Türkiye and the Republic of Korea. No new countries can join the 2036 process after 31 October 2026.
How much will a Durban Olympics cost?
No official cost has been published. SASCOC says it will use existing venues first and build new ones only where they have a long-term use, and a funding plan still has to be prepared for the IOC.
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