Ahmedabad to host 2030 Commonwealth Games

AHMEDABAD was formally awarded hosting rights of the 2030 Commonwealth Games during Commonwealth Sport’s general assembly here on Wednesday, paving the way for the multi-sport event’s return to the country after two decades.

It was a mere formality for the general assembly of 74 members to put a seal of approval on India’s bid after Ahmedabad was recommended as the proposed host of the centenary edition by the Commonwealth Sports’ Executive Board last month. India last hosted the CWG in 2010 in Delhi.

The Executive Board’s recommendation followed a process overseen by the Commonwealth Sport’s Evaluation Committee.

“India brings scale, youth, ambition, rich culture, enormous sporting passion and relevance...We start our next century for the Commonwealth Games in good health,” said Dr Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport.

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The decision also bolstered India’s ambition to be an Olympic host in 2036.

Ahmedabad, the city which is in the race for Olympic hosting rights as well, has upgraded its sports infrastructure on a war footing in the last one decade.

India was facing competition from the Nigerian city of Abuja for the 2030 bid. But Commonwealth Sport decided to instead consider the African nation for the 2034 edition.

For the 2010 Delhi Games, India had spent close to Rs 70,000 crore to host the 2010 edition of the Games, far exceeding the initial estimate of Rs 1600 crore.

The quadrennial event has been struggling to stay relevant and find willing hosts for a while.

“We are deeply honoured by the trust shown by Commonwealth Sport. The 2030 Games will not only celebrate 100 years of the Commonwealth Movement but also lay the foundation for the next century,” PT Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India and the IOA, said “It will bring together Athletes, communities, and cultures from across the Commonwealth in a spirit of friendship and progress,” she added.

2030 Games to feature 15-17 disciplines

Commonwealth Sport also confirmed that 15 to 17 sports will feature at the 2030 Games.

“The Amdavad 2030 team will work closely with Commonwealth Sport and the International Federation community to shape a dynamic and exciting sport programme with strong local resonance and global appeal,” the body stated.

Athletics and Para Athletics, Swimming and Para Swimming, Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis, Bowls and Para Bowls, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, Artistic Gymnastics, Netball and Boxing are the confirmed disciplines.

“The process to finalise the remainder of the programme will start next month, and the full Centenary Games line-up will be announced next year.

“The sports under consideration are: Archery, Badminton, 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cricket T20, Cycling, Diving,  Hockey,  Judo, Rhythmic Gymnastics,  Rugby Sevens,  Shooting, Squash, Triathlon and Para Triathlon and Wrestling.   “The host can also propose up to two new or traditional sports,” it added.

The expanded programme stays true to the Indian Olympic Association’s commitment to have an elaborate Games. The 2026 edition in Glasgow will be a scaled-down event with just 10 disciplines on its roster, leaving out sports like shooting, archery, hockey and badminton, among others, due to cost considerations.

In recent months, Ahmedabad hosted the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships, the Asian Aquatics Championships and football’s AFC Under-17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers.

Next year, it will host the Asian Weightlifting Championship and Asia Para-Archery Cup. In 2029, the World Police and Fire Games will be held in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Ekta Nagar.

The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave is one of the prime venues that is currently under development and apart from the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, which has a capacity of over one lakh, it is designed to house an aquatics centre and a football stadium, along with two arenas for indoor sports.

An athlete's village that can house 3,000 is also set to be built inside this complex.

The first Commonwealth Games, then called the British Empire Games, was held in Hamilton, Canada in 1930.