Australia has thrown its weight behind India’s push to host the 2036 Olympics, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese endorsing the bid during Narendra Modi’s visit to the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The public backing adds momentum to India’s campaign and elevates Ahmedabad’s proposed plan as the International Olympic Committee’s mid-2029 decision draws nearer.
A strategic win for India’s 2036 plan
Australia’s support came as the two prime ministers unveiled the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap at the MCG. The move signals a shift from warm words to concrete alignment on major sporting ambitions and capacity building.
Modi told the gathering that India is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and is striving to host the Olympics in 2036. He added that sports infrastructure will be developed on a mega scale to prepare for global tournaments.
Why the endorsement matters now
With Brisbane locked in for 2032, attention is turning to 2036. The IOC is scheduled to select the host city in mid-2029, compressing timelines for feasibility, financing and venue planning across competing bids.
India and Qatar are leading the race, according to the event briefings, with India proposing Ahmedabad as the primary host city and lining up multiple global events to bolster credibility.
What changed at the MCG
The event in Melbourne was designed as a showcase of partnership rather than protocol, drawing sports icons and policy makers together. Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan attended, as did Australian cricket greats Steve Waugh and Lisa Sthalekar, underscoring the coalition behind the roadmap.
In on-ground remarks, Albanese said Australia would support India’s 2036 Olympic bid, while Modi framed sport as a pillar of the bilateral partnership. He also welcomed a decision to stage a Big Bash League match in Chennai, India, later this year.
Here are the immediate takeaways from the visit:
– Australia backed India’s 2036 Olympic bid
– A joint sports roadmap was unveiled at the MCG
– India reiterated 2030 Commonwealth Games plans
– A Big Bash League match is set for Chennai
– Youth exchanges will be scaled up
Roadmap priorities beyond cricket
The India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap aims to deepen cooperation not only on the field but in the systems that power elite performance. It focuses on sports training and capacity building, sports science and technology, and sports industry and investment.
A proposed India-Australia Youth Sports Festival is part of the plan, intended to create new pathways for emerging athletes, coaches and administrators across both countries.
Building blocks for the 2036 pitch
Modi noted that large-scale infrastructure development is central to India’s 2036 ambition. By targeting partnerships in science, technology and high-performance systems, the roadmap aligns with what modern Olympic bids must demonstrate: execution capability, sustainability and broadcast reach.
He said sports bring people together, calling the shared cricket heritage a foundation for a broader sporting alliance that now includes kabaddi and Australian Rules football showcases.
Scenes from a symbolic venue
The choice of the MCG brought both spectacle and symbolism. Modi interacted with young cricketers, signed jerseys and met Ruby the Roo, Australia’s international mascot, in scenes carried widely by event footage.
Waugh’s mental toughness and Sthalekar’s all-round excellence were highlighted by Modi as examples of the talent, temperament and tenacity required to become champions, reinforcing the roadmap’s focus on holistic development.
What comes next
The path to 2036 is narrow and exacting. India will need to convert endorsements into technical progress, demonstrate readiness across venues and logistics, and navigate the IOC’s mid-2029 selection process.
For now, Australia’s backing, the new roadmap and India’s stated 2030 Commonwealth Games plan form a coordinated signal: New Delhi intends to compete hard for the Olympic mantle.
