Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday formally backed India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games as he joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi to unveil the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The announcement came during an event celebrating sporting ties between the two countries, where Modi said India was preparing to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and was seeking to bring the Olympics to the country in 2036. The new roadmap aims to expand bilateral cooperation in sports training, science, technology and investment.

Australia Backs India’s Bid To Host 2036 Olympics

Addressing the gathering at the MCG, Modi said India would develop sports infrastructure on a massive scale as it prepared to host major international sporting events.

“India is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030. We are also striving to host the Olympics in India in 2036. Brisbane will host the Olympics in 2032. Sports infrastructure will be developed on a mega scale to host these global events,” Modi said.

Moments later, Albanese announced Australia’s support for India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

The backing provides a significant boost to New Delhi’s campaign to bring the Summer Olympics to India for the first time.

India, Australia Launch Sports Collaboration Roadmap

Modi and Albanese jointly unveiled the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap, aimed at expanding cooperation between the two countries beyond cricket.

The roadmap focuses on sports training and capacity building, sports science and technology, and investment and cooperation in the sports industry.

It also proposes organising an India-Australia Youth Sports Festival to strengthen sporting exchanges and engagement between young athletes from the two countries.

Modi said sport had become an important pillar of the India-Australia partnership and could play a significant role in bringing people together.

“For any Indian coming to the MCG, two emotions arise together in the heart. One is the thrill of an India-Australia cricket match, and the other is the realisation that in both our countries, cricket is not just a sport, it is a shared passion,” Modi said.

“But today, there is no pressure of a last-over finish. Today is about the joy of sport, the warmth of our friendship, and the energy of future champions,” he added.

Big Bash League Opening Match To Be Held In Chennai

Modi welcomed the decision to hold the opening match of Australia’s 2026-27 Big Bash League season in Chennai later this year.

“I am delighted that a Big Bash League match will be held in Chennai, India. For any sporting league, hosting an event in India guarantees extensive reach and viewership,” Modi said.

He said the new sports roadmap would diversify bilateral cooperation and strengthen ties across a wider range of sporting disciplines.

“Sports are a strong pillar of the relationship between India and Australia. It gives me great pleasure to launch the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap today along with Prime Minister Albanese. Through this initiative, we will strengthen cooperation not only in cricket but across a wide range of sports as well,” Modi said.

Modi Praises Steve Waugh, Lisa Sthalekar At MCG Event

Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan joined Modi and Albanese at the event, while Australian cricket greats Steve Waugh and Lisa Sthalekar were among the sporting legends in attendance.

Modi praised the two former cricketers and said their careers demonstrated the qualities required to become successful athletes.

“Steve Waugh’s mental toughness and Lisa Sthalekar’s all-round excellence remind us that becoming a champion requires three essential qualities: talent, temperament, and tenacity,” Modi said.

He also congratulated Australia on winning the Women’s Cricket World Cup and said the coming years would provide new opportunities for sporting cooperation as India and Australia prepared to host major multi-sport events.

Modi, Albanese Interact With Young Athletes

Recalling his previous meetings with Albanese, Modi said cricket had frequently served as a common thread between the two leaders.

He referred to their earlier visit together to the stadium in Ahmedabad and said their presence at the MCG reflected the shared sporting spirit of India and Australia.

Modi and Albanese later interacted with young athletes participating in exhibition matches of kabaddi, Australian Rules football and cricket.

Modi said watching the children compete made it feel as though it was “not merely an exhibition match” but “an audition for future champions”.

He added that the confidence and enthusiasm displayed by the young athletes reflected a promising future for sport in both countries.

Australia’s support for India’s 2036 Olympic bid and the launch of the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap marked another expansion of cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with sports, cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties playing an increasingly prominent role.

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