South Africa has selected the coastal city of Durban as its preferred candidate to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in either 2036 or 2040, aiming to bring the event to African soil for the first time. The announcement positions the country in a seven-nation bidding contest ahead of upcoming International Olympic Committee deadlines.
Durban Wins National Nomination Over Major Metropolises
The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) revealed the choice on Thursday during a press conference at Olympic House in Johannesburg, following approval from the national cabinet. Lwandile Simelane, acting president of SASCOC, confirmed that Durban emerged as the primary candidate over larger domestic centers such as Johannesburg and Cape Town. The project carries an estimated exploratory value of R500 billion.
1. Durban in South Africa was named after the British CoIoniaI Secretary, Sir Benjamin d'Urban.The local Zulu name for the area is eThekwini, meaning "the bay" or "lagoon," reflecting the geographical features of the region.Let's call it what it is. pic.twitter.com/VMOhlqsadh
While Durban is slated to anchor the bid, officials noted that the concept will likely utilize a multi-city arrangement. This structure proposes spreading certain competitions across other locations within the country to leverage existing sports infrastructure, aligning with the International Olympic Committee’s sustainability criteria. The coastal city was previously touted as a potential Olympic contender following South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, though financial concerns prevented a formal bid from materializing at that time.
Global Rivals and Upcoming Selection Timelines
South Africa joins a competitive field of seven nations pursuing the 2036 Summer Games. Competitors include India, Qatar, South Korea, Germany, Hungary and Turkey. The International Olympic Committee has established October 31 as the deadline for national Olympic committees to formally declare their interest.
The path forward involves several administrative hurdles before any host city is chosen. SASCOC is scheduled to deliver virtual presentations to the IOC Future Host Commission in November 2026, with formal feasibility reviews concluding in March 2027. The International Olympic Committee will ultimately select the host city for the 2036 edition in mid-2029.
| Milestone / Event | Target Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| IOC Expression of Interest Deadline | October 31, 2026 | National Olympic committees must formally declare interest in the 2036 Games. |
| Future Host Commission Presentations | November 2026 | SASCOC to present the Durban-anchored bid concept virtually. |
| Feasibility Reviews Conclusion | March 2027 | IOC technical evaluations of bidding nations wrap up. |
| Host City Selection | Mid-2029 | International Olympic Committee selects the 2036 host. |
Financial Scrutiny and Past Bidding History
Despite the cabinet approval and official backing, local sports authorities have not yet provided specific estimates regarding the total expenditure required to stage the Games if the bid succeeds.
As SASCOC prepares its documentation for the IOC, the ability to manage costs will dictate whether the 2036 or 2040 campaign avoids the pitfalls of past domestic bidding attempts.
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