The Best Hosts
Hosting the Olympic Games is a privilege and an honor that many countries regularly compete for. It requires great organizational skills, public planning, and a readiness to welcome the whole world. Some countries have yet to play host, but others have done it many times. Here are five nations in the world that have hosted the Olympics the most times.
1) United States — 8 times
Over the many years that the Olympics have been around, the United States has hosted a whopping 8 times in total, more than any other country. For the summer, the country has hosted in cities like St. Louis, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. And for the winter, cities like Lake Placid and Salt Lake City have been the homegrounds for the events.
2) France — 6 times
Just below the United States, France has played host an incredible 6 times throughout the years, with one more scheduled in 2030. As one of the most popular cities in the world, it makes sense that the Olympics have been held in Paris alone three times (which is a record for a single city)!
3) Japan — 4 times
Split equally between the seasons, Japan has held the Olympic Games a total of 4 times, twice in the summer and twice in the winter. The events have taken place in some of the country's most beloved cities, like Tokyo, Sapporo, and Nagano.
4) Italy — 4 times
Having just finished hosting the 2026 Olympic Games in Milano Cortina, Italy has now hosted an impressive 4 times, far more than many countries in the world. It's been held in some of the most gorgeous cities like Rome and Turin, allowing tourists to both enjoy the athletic spectacles and the beauty of where it's being held.
5) United Kingdom — 3 times
Having hosted the Summer Olympics an amazing three times in London, the United Kingdom is a repeated popular host city. It's not hard to see why, given how amazing the culture and history is here. Perhaps in the future they'll be able to expand to other lovely cities!
