South Africa Prepares Historic Joint 2036 Olympic Bid Across Three Major Cities

Sportswire can confirm that the eThekwini Municipality is currently locked in meetings to formulate a bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

While it was initially indicated in July that eThekwini and Cape Town were considering independent bids, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that South Africa’s national campaign involves a joint multi-city effort spanning Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg.

As part of the regional proposals, Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium has been tabled as a marquee venue. Fresh off successfully hosting the high-profile MTN8 final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, the iconic venue—which famously hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup semi-final between Spain and Germany—possesses the structural flexibility to incorporate temporary running tracks around the pitch.

However, South Africa faces stiff international competition. Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg are up against rival bids from Hungary, India, Qatar, and Turkey—all seeking to become first-time Olympic hosts—alongside discussions involving Germany and South Korea.

The IOC confirmed that interested nations are currently engaged in “continuous dialogue” ahead of the strict 31 October deadline for formal expressions of interest.

Virtual presentations to the Future Host Commission will follow in November, with comprehensive IOC feasibility assessments slated for March 2027 before strategic dialogues officially commence.

Replying to Sportswire in Durban, Deputy Minister of Sport Peace Mabe emphasized the nation’s ambition to bring the world’s premier multi-sport spectacle to African soil for the first time.

“Yes, in fact, in the history of the Olympics, there is no African country that has hosted the Olympics,” said Mabe.

“We are definitely going to bid as South Africa, and if it goes to Durban or any other city in South Africa, as a department, we definitely support that.”

Hosting the Olympics would represent a significant milestone for South Africa and the African continent, potentially bringing substantial investment in infrastructure, tourism and sport while showcasing the country’s ability to organise a major international event.

However, South Africa’s previous experience with hosting major multi-sport competitions also highlights the financial and logistical challenges associated with such an undertaking.

Durban’s Commonwealth Games setback

Durban was previously selected to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, but the city was stripped of its hosting rights in March 2017 after failing to meet key financial and organisational requirements.

At the time, the South African government and the local organising committee had committed to a budget of approximately R4 billion, equivalent to around US$300 million at the time.

However, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) estimated that the cost of staging the event would be significantly higher.

Against the backdrop of economic pressures and competing national priorities, the Department of Sport and Recreation concluded that providing the open-ended financial guarantees required to host the Games was not feasible.

The experience serves as a reminder that any future Olympic bid would require extensive planning, clear financial commitments, government support and sustainable infrastructure development.

An Olympic Games hosted in South Africa would be significantly larger in scale than the Commonwealth Games, requiring coordination across multiple venues, extensive transport infrastructure, accommodation, security and other essential services.

Nevertheless, South Africa has an established record of hosting major international sporting events, which could strengthen its case if the country proceeds with a formal bid.

South Africa’s track record of hosting major sporting events

South Africa has hosted several major international tournaments across football, rugby, cricket, netball and other sporting codes.

Global World Cups and major international tournaments

1. 2010 FIFA World Cup

South Africa became the first African country to host the FIFA World Cup. The tournament featured 32 teams and was staged across 10 venues in nine host cities, culminating in the final at Soccer City, now known as FNB Stadium, in Johannesburg.

2. 1995 Rugby World Cup

The tournament marked South Africa’s return to the international sporting stage following the end of apartheid. The Springboks defeated New Zealand in the final, with President Nelson Mandela presenting the Webb Ellis Cup to captain François Pienaar in one of the most memorable moments in the country’s sporting history.

3. 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup

South Africa co-hosted the tournament with Zimbabwe and Kenya, serving as the principal host nation. The final was played at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

4. 2007 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

South Africa hosted the inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with matches played in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. India defeated Pakistan in a thrilling final at the Wanderers Stadium.

5. 2023 Netball World Cup

Cape Town hosted the tournament at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, marking the first time the Netball World Cup was staged on African soil.

6. 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup

The tournament was played across Cape Town, Gqeberha and Paarl. Australia defeated South Africa in the final at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.

7. 2023 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup

South Africa hosted the inaugural edition of the tournament, with matches staged in Benoni and Potchefstroom.

Continental and multi-sport championships

• 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON): South Africa hosted and won the tournament on home soil, defeating Tunisia in the final.
• 1999 All-Africa Games: Johannesburg hosted the continental multi-sport event, bringing together athletes from across Africa.
• 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup: South Africa staged the tournament as a dress rehearsal for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with matches played in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Rustenburg and Bloemfontein.
• 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON): South Africa hosted the tournament for a second time, stepping in after Libya relinquished its hosting rights.

Motorsport, golf and other major sporting events

• Formula One South African Grand Prix: South Africa hosted 23 Formula One World Championship races, primarily at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, with the most recent race held in 1993.
• 2003 Presidents Cup: The prestigious golf competition was staged at Fancourt in George, Western Cape. The contest ended in a historic tie between the United States and the International team.
• 2009 Indian Premier League (IPL): Following security concerns and scheduling complications associated with India’s general elections, the entire second edition of the IPL was moved to South Africa, with matches played across several venues.
• 2023 World Table Tennis Championships Finals: Durban hosted the event, marking the return of the World Table Tennis Championships to Africa for the first time in 84 years.

A potential milestone for African sport

South Africa’s experience in hosting international competitions could provide a foundation for a potential Olympic bid involving Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg.

For eThekwini, the opportunity would place renewed attention on Durban’s sporting infrastructure, particularly Moses Mabhida Stadium, which remains one of the country’s most recognisable sporting venues.

However, the road to hosting the 2036 Olympic Games remains long, with the IOC’s evaluation process, financial considerations and competition from other interested nations likely to play decisive roles.

If South Africa proceeds with its bid, the ambition would extend beyond securing the Games for a single city. It would represent an opportunity for the country to position itself as a continental sporting hub and potentially make history by bringing the Olympic movement to Africa for the first time.