The IOC’s latest decision has set the stage for a high‑stakes bidding war.
Seven cities—Munich, Doha, Jeonju, Ahmedabad, Budapest, Istanbul, and a multi‑city South African concept—have all filed, with the process moving from dialogue to shortlist in March 2027; the preferred hosts will be chosen by December 2028, and the official announcement will come mid‑2029.
South Korea, boasting Seoul’s 1988 legacy and PyeongChang’s 2018 Winter Games, is now wrestling over Jeonbuk and Jeonju as its domestic front—yet the capital’s existing infrastructure makes it a strong contender.
Qatar, fresh off a 2022 World Cup, argues that 95% of its venues are ready, but the desert heat could push a July‑August Games into a November‑December slot—will the climate be the deciding factor?
Ahmedabad, riding the momentum of the 2030 Commonwealth Games, is pitching an urban transformation narrative to the IOC—can the city prove it can shuttle athletes efficiently and leave a lasting legacy?
The next hurdle is the IOC’s December 2028 preference meeting; Ahmedabad will need to deliver a unified proposal that balances infrastructure, climate, and legacy.