Durban will lead South Africa's bid to bring the Olympics to Africa
Built around the 56,000-seat Moses Mabhida Stadium, the bid targets 2036 or 2040. No African country has hosted the Summer Games.
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Durban — Durban will lead South Africa's bid to host the 2036 or 2040 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, the acting president of the South African Olympic Committee, Lwandile Simelane, announced on Thursday.
Johannesburg and Cape Town were also considered. The bid is likely to be multi-city, with some events in other municipalities, and is built around the 56,000-seat Moses Mabhida Stadium, built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The race
- National Olympic committees have until 31 October to enter.
- South Africa is one of seven countries seeking the 2036 Games, alongside India, Qatar, South Korea, Germany, Hungary and Turkey.
- The IOC is expected to choose the 2036 host in mid-2029.
Officials said they could not yet estimate the cost. Durban was awarded the 2022 Commonwealth Games but lost them after failing to provide the required guarantees, including financial ones. Cape Town bid for the 2004 Olympics and lost to Athens.
A win would make South Africa the first African country to host the Summer Olympics since the modern Games began in 1896. The announcement comes as Dakar prepares to open the Youth Olympic Games, the first Olympic event held in Africa.
Source: Africanews, 30 October 2026.
