In a landmark development that has set the stage for India’s global sporting ambitions, Ahmedabad has been recommended as the host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games (CWG) — the centenary edition of the prestigious multi-sport event. This decision is being seen not just as a victory for India’s sports infrastructure but also as a major step forward in the nation’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

The executive board of Commonwealth Sport announced on Wednesday that Gujarat’s largest city, Ahmedabad, has been chosen as the “proposed host” for the 2030 Games. The proposal will now be presented for final approval to the full Commonwealth Sport membership at its General Assembly in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 26, 2025.

If approved, this will mark the second time India hosts the Commonwealth Games, following the 2010 edition in New Delhi.

A Milestone Moment for Indian Sports

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has been overseeing India’s 2036 Olympics bid, hailed the announcement as a “day of immense joy and pride for India.”
He posted on X (formerly Twitter):

“Heartiest congratulations to every citizen of India on Commonwealth Association’s approval of India’s bid to host the CWG 2030 in Ahmedabad. It is a grand endorsement of PM Shri Narendra Modi ji’s relentless efforts to place India on the world sports map. Raising world-class infrastructure and a nationwide pool of sports talent, Modi ji has made India a marvel of a sports destination.”

Echoing his sentiments, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya called it “a huge moment for Indian sports.” He thanked the Commonwealth Sport Executive Board for its confidence in India’s capabilities, saying the recommendation “reflects India’s growing dominance in global sport.”

PT Usha: ‘A Powerful Opportunity to Inspire Our Youth’

P. T. Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Commonwealth Games Association India, welcomed the development with optimism.

“It would be an extraordinary honour for India to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. The Games would not only showcase India’s world-class sporting and event capabilities, but also play a meaningful role in our national journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047,” she said.
“We see the 2030 Games as a powerful opportunity to inspire our youth, strengthen international partnerships, and contribute to a shared future across the Commonwealth.”

Usha added that India’s focus is on leveraging the 2030 CWG as a springboard for the country’s long-term sporting vision, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader development goals for 2047.

A Strategic Step Toward the 2036 Olympics

For India, hosting the Commonwealth Games 2030 is not just about sporting glory — it’s a calculated step in its journey toward hosting the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

India formally submitted a ‘letter of intent’ to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in November 2024, expressing its desire to host the 2036 Olympics. The country is currently engaged in the IOC’s “continuous dialogue process”, with the final decision on the 2036 host city expected in 2027.

An IOA official noted that the build-up to the 2030 CWG offers India a unique opportunity to demonstrate its reliability, transparency, and readiness to handle mega sporting events on the world stage.

“We believe the host for the 2036 Olympics will be declared before the 2030 CWG begins. But by building world-class facilities in a timely and transparent manner, we can show the world that we are different, ambitious, and more mature now than we were 15 years ago,” the official said. “We have learnt our lessons from the past.”

The official was referring to the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, which, despite being India’s most successful in terms of medals, were marred by controversies surrounding poor planning, delays, and corruption allegations.

A Hard-Won Bid Amid Global Hosting Challenges

The path to the 2030 Games was far from straightforward. Ahmedabad’s bid faced competition from Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, the only other contender. The competition highlighted the growing reluctance among nations to host the Commonwealth Games, largely due to rising costs and diminishing commercial value.

The Commonwealth Sport Evaluation Committee, which recommended Ahmedabad, conducted a rigorous evaluation of candidate cities based on factors like:

• Technical delivery capability

• Athlete experience

• Infrastructure readiness

• Governance standards

• Alignment with Commonwealth Sport values

In its statement, Commonwealth Sport said:

“The recommendation of Amdavad follows a detailed process overseen by the Commonwealth Sport Evaluation Committee. India, the most populous nation in the Commonwealth, has a proud sporting history and a strong record of Commonwealth Games success. Amdavad’s proposal emphasises India’s commitment to the values of the Commonwealth and its capacity to stage a Games that reflects the scale and diversity of modern sport.”

The Long Road to the 2030 Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games 2030 will be the 24th edition of the event, marking 100 years since its inception in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.
The last edition was held in Birmingham, UK, in 2022, and the next one (2026) is scheduled in Glasgow, Scotland, albeit as a scaled-down version featuring just 10 sports due to cost-saving measures.

The Commonwealth Games have faced a turbulent decade, with several host cities withdrawing:

• Durban, South Africa (2022) pulled out due to financial constraints, prompting Birmingham to step in as a last-minute replacement.

• Victoria, Australia (2026) withdrew after hosting costs ballooned from AUS$2.6 billion to AUS$7 billion, forcing Glasgow to rescue the event once again.

This ongoing uncertainty left the 2030 Games searching for a reliable host — a gap India was quick to fill.

Ahmedabad’s Sports Infrastructure: Ready for the World Stage

Ahmedabad’s emergence as the frontrunner for CWG 2030 is no accident. The city has undergone a rapid sports infrastructure transformation under the Gujarat government.

The Naranpura Sports Complex, inaugurated recently at a cost of ₹825 crore, hosted the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship and the Asian Swimming Championship this year — both seen as test events for future large-scale competitions.

The complex, along with the proposed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Enclave (which includes the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket stadium), will form the core venues for the CWG 2030.
While the 2036 Olympics plan involves multiple Indian cities, the 2030 Commonwealth Games will likely be concentrated in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, ensuring logistical efficiency and focused infrastructure development.

India’s Commonwealth Games Legacy

India has a long and successful association with the Commonwealth Games. At the Birmingham 2022 edition, Indian athletes clinched 61 medals — 22 gold, 16 silver, and 23 bronze — finishing fourth overall behind Australia, England, and Canada.

Historically, India’s best-ever performance came in the 2010 Delhi Games, where the country bagged 101 medals (38 golds), finishing second in the overall tally.

However, India’s medal prospects at the upcoming 2026 Glasgow Games could take a hit, as several sports where India traditionally excels — including hockey, cricket, wrestling, badminton, and table tennis — have been dropped from the programme due to cost-cutting.

A New Era for India’s Global Sporting Presence

The 2030 Commonwealth Games are not just about reviving the spirit of competition but also about showcasing India’s evolution as a reliable, modern sports destination. The IOA, backed by both the central and state governments, views this as part of a long-term strategy to make India a consistent global host for major sporting events.

Besides CWG 2030, India has expressed interest in hosting:

• The 2027 Women’s Volleyball World Championship

• The 2028 World U20 Athletics Championships

• Various other international tournaments to bolster its global hosting credentials

By 2030, India aims to demonstrate not just its organizational capacity but also its sporting excellence, strengthening its case for the Olympic bid.

Looking Ahead: The Final Decision

The final word on Ahmedabad’s hosting rights will come on November 26, 2025, when the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly convenes in Glasgow, Scotland.
If approved, it will officially cement Ahmedabad’s place in history as the host of the Centenary Commonwealth Games — 100 years after the event began.

Should that happen, it will be more than just a sports announcement. It will be a statement — that India, once seen as an underdog in global sports management, is now ready to take center stage.

From CWG 2030 to Olympics 2036 — India’s Global Sporting Dream

Ahmedabad’s proposed hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is more than a milestone; it’s a strategic turning point in India’s journey toward international sporting leadership. Backed by political will, strong infrastructure, and a growing sports culture, India now stands on the brink of a new era.

If the bid is approved, the 2030 Games will not only celebrate a century of Commonwealth sporting unity but will also mark India’s coming of age — as a confident, capable, and committed global sports hub, ready to welcome the Olympic torch in 2036.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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