The process to elect Olympic hosts

The first step is an informal exchange between the IOC and the NOC, together with the city or region.

If these talks progress positively, the NOC and city or region can choose to enter a non-committal Continuous Dialogue with the IOC. This helps the potential host to explore and improve its Olympic project, without linking it to any specific Games edition or year. Upon entering a Continuous Dialogue, the potential host becomes known as an Interested Party. It will receive bespoke support from the IOC to help it design a Games plan and vision with maximum potential benefits for local communities.

This dialogue is flexible and does not require any financial commitment, written submission or other legal or financial guarantees. The IOC conducts a feasibility study to assess the state of progress of a project, help the Interested Party make improvements, and assist the IOC Executive Board (EB) with its strategic long-term outlook and decision-making. The IOC commissions an independent report by a third-party specialist organisation about the human rights situation in each Preferred Host region, insofar as this relates to the Games organisation. This report is then shared with the relevant Future Host Commission.

Read more about the factors assessed during Continuous Dialogue.

If the results of the feasibility study are positive, and the Future Host Commission determines that a project represents a strategic opportunity for the Olympic Movement, the Commission may recommend that the Executive Board open a Targeted Dialogue for a particular edition and year of the Games. If the EB agrees with the recommendation, it will open a Targeted Dialogue and invite one or more parties as Preferred Hosts into this next stage, which will be overseen by the Future Host Commission.

Targeted Dialogue represents a deep dive into one or more projects. Extensive consultation takes place, for example with International Sports Federations. The IOC commissions independent reports in key areas such as venue costs, public opinion and potential environmental impact.

Each Preferred Host will be asked to respond to the Future Host Questionnaire and to provide a number of guarantees to support its project.

At the end of the Targeted Dialogue, the Executive Board can put forward one or more Preferred Hosts for election by the IOC Session. This is not the only option – if one or both parties feel the time is not right, or the conditions have not been met for election, the Commission can recommend that the Preferred Host(s) go back to the Continuous Dialogue. Nor does opening a Targeted Dialogue mean saying “no” to other Interested Parties. They can choose to continue working on their Olympic projects in collaboration with the IOC, with a view to staging a future edition of the Olympic Games, or another Olympic event.

If the Executive Board calls an election, the Preferred Host(s) will be invited to a meeting to present their project and discuss it with all the IOC Members. They will then give a final presentation to the IOC Session, which will be followed by the IOC Members voting by secret ballot. If elected, the Host will immediately sign the Olympic Host Contract with the IOC.