Copenhagen explores bid for 2036 Olympics, aims to host the 'smallest and most sustainable' games

Copenhagen, Denmark's capital, is making a bold move to join the race for the 2036 Summer Olympics.

The city has allocated 500,000 kroner from its 2025 budget to conduct a feasibility study, exploring the potential and requirements for hosting the prestigious event.

As global cities reassess the financial and logistical challenges of hosting the Olympics, Copenhagen’s bid is expected to highlight its commitment to a smaller, more sustainable Games.

Denmark invests in Olympic feasibility study

The Danish capital's significant investment of 500,000 kroner is dedicated to assessing the viability of hosting the Olympics.

This initial funding will help identify the necessary steps for Denmark to enter the bidding process.

In addition to the main Olympic Games, the study will also evaluate the feasibility of hosting the Youth Olympic Games, a smaller-scale version of the Olympics scheduled to take place in Dakar in 2026.

The Youth Olympics, held every four years, serve as an important precursor for cities considering a bid for the main event.

Copenhagen’s vision for a sustainable Olympics

Copenhagen’s approach to the Olympics is notably unique.

Mia Nyegaard, the city’s Culture and Leisure Mayor, has articulated a vision for hosting the "smallest and most sustainable Olympics ever."

This ambitious goal aims to minimize environmental impact while maximizing social benefits for the city.

Copenhagen’s focus on sustainability aligns with recent International Olympic Committee (IOC) reforms, which have introduced greater flexibility and cost-reduction measures in the bidding process.

These changes have made the prospect of hosting the Olympics more appealing to cities like Copenhagen, which are eager to showcase their green credentials.

Future Olympic hosts: Los Angeles, Brisbane

With Los Angeles confirmed as the host for the 2028 Summer Olympics and Brisbane selected for 2032, Copenhagen's earliest opportunity to host the Games would be 2036.

The city’s interest is buoyed by past encouragement from IOC President Thomas Bach, who in 2018 expressed confidence in Denmark’s capability to organize a "fantastic Olympic Games, organizationally and logistically."

This endorsement has likely spurred Danish officials to explore a bid further, despite potential competition from other European cities with similar ambitions.

Poland has also expressed interest in hosting the Olympics, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently suggesting that Warsaw could be a contender for 2040.

The emergence of Warsaw as a rival adds another layer of competition for Copenhagen, which will need to emphasize its unique sustainability and cost-effectiveness advantages.

The IOC's new regulations encourage cities to present innovative and realistic plans that balance financial prudence with the well-being of residents.

Historically, high costs, significant disruptions, and questionable long-term benefits have deterred potential host cities from bidding for the Olympics.

The IOC’s 2021 reforms aimed to address these concerns by introducing cost-cutting measures and increased flexibility in the bidding process.

These changes were designed to revive interest in hosting the Games by reducing the financial burden and encouraging cities to propose creative, smaller-scale concepts that align with modern sustainability and economic goals.

The feasibility study in Copenhagen will play a crucial role in determining whether the city will move forward with a formal bid for the 2036 Olympics.

The study will identify any gaps in infrastructure, logistics, and financing that need to be addressed to create a compelling proposal for the IOC.