South Africa is officially among the countries interested in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, and if the magic of the 2010 FIFA World Cup taught us anything, it’s that we know how to welcome the world!
Global (12 October 2026) – Remember 2010? The vuvuzelas, the flags on every car, the packed stadiums, the fan parks, the gees? For an entire month, South Africa was one enormous celebration and the rest of the world was invited to join us.
Well, we might just have an opportunity to do it all over again… South Africa is officially in the running to host the 2036 Olympic Games! And if we pull it off, we could become the first African country in history to host the Summer Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that South Africa is among 7 countries expressing interest in hosting the Games, alongside India, Qatar, Germany, Hungary, Türkiye and South Korea. The IOC invited the countries to present their proposals in November, with the final decision expected in 2029. It’s still early days, and there is plenty of competition, but the very possibility has us dreaming about what another enormous international sporting celebration could mean for our beautiful country.
Remember the Magic of 2010?
If you were in South Africa during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, you’ll remember exactly how it felt. There was something extraordinary about that month… something that went far beyond football.
The stadiums were packed, fan parks were buzzing, local pubs and restaurants were overflowing, and everywhere you looked there were South African flags, football shirts and people celebrating together. We were festy for an entire month! The whole country seemed to be operating on one enormous wave of gees.
The numbers tell an equally impressive story. According to South African Tourism, 309,554 international tourists travelled to South Africa specifically for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, spending more than R3.6 billion during their visits. And that money didn’t just go into the stadiums. It flowed into businesses across the country, with approximately 30% spent on shopping, 20% on accommodation, 19% on food and drinks, and 16% on leisure activities. Hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, pubs, shops, tour operators and transport businesses all formed part of the economic activity generated by the tournament.
And even though 309,544 tourists were here specifically for the World Cup, more than 1 million foreign visitors entered South Africa between 1 June and 1 July 2010, a 25% increase compared with the same period the previous year. It was an extraordinary opportunity for South African businesses, especially those in tourism and hospitality, and an opportunity to show international visitors everything we have to offer.
Now Imagine the Olympics!
16 years later, South Africa could be preparing to welcome the world again, this time for the biggest multi-sport event on the planet.
Imagine the Olympic opening ceremony taking place on African soil for the very first time. Imagine the world’s greatest athletes competing in our stadiums, our swimming pools and our sporting facilities, with millions of people watching from around the globe. Imagine the tourists filling our hotels, exploring our beautiful cities, visiting our restaurants, booking safaris, discovering our beaches and experiencing the incredible hospitality South Africans are known for. And imagine what it could mean for our young athletes, who might one day have the opportunity to compete at an Olympic Games in their own country, cheered on by their families, friends and fellow South Africans.
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A Big Weekend of Sport AwaitsCape Town, Johannesburg and Durban have all been mentioned in discussions around a possible hosting plan, although no final venue arrangements have been confirmed.
Of course, hosting the Olympics would require enormous planning, investment and cooperation. There would be important questions about costs, infrastructure and ensuring the benefits extend beyond the Games themselves. But South Africa has experience hosting major international sporting events and 2010 remains a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when the country works towards a shared goal.
Could We Really Do It?
South Africa has some serious competition for 2036. There is still a long road ahead before the IOC announces the successful host. Countries will be assessed on their facilities, funding plans, public support and the lasting benefits their proposals could deliver.
But for now, it’s just incredible to be part of the conversation.
*Philip was here. And we are ready to welcome him back again.
“Philip, he’s here” became a popular meme in 2010, during a radio broadcast on Umhlobo Wenene FM when a caller mispronounced the slogan, turning “Feel it, it is here” into the name of an imaginary person.
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