New Delhi: India is on the verge of a major milestone as the hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games are expected to be formally confirmed at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow. The decision, anticipated for over a month, will mark India’s return as host after the 2010 edition in Delhi, with Ahmedabad positioned as the centrepiece of the upcoming event.
The confirmation will follow a review process led by the Commonwealth Sport Evaluation Committee, which examined candidate cities on technical readiness, athlete experience, infrastructure, governance and alignment with organisational values. India’s primary competitor for the 2030 event was Abuja in Nigeria. After assessing both bids, Commonwealth Sport opted to support Nigeria’s ambitions for the 2034 Games instead.
Delegates from India will present their vision for the Games in Ahmedabad before the final vote. A formal announcement is expected around early evening in India, concluding with a broadcast segment to commemorate the centenary edition. Senior representatives including joint secretary Kunal, IOA President P T Usha and Gujarat Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi are attending the assembly.
Hosting the 2030 Games is seen as a significant step in India’s wider ambitions to stage the 2036 Olympics, also proposed for Ahmedabad. The city has rapidly enhanced its sporting infrastructure in recent years, hosting major events such as the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships, the Asian Aquatics Championships and the AFC Under 17 Asian Cup qualifiers. It is also scheduled to host the Asian Weightlifting Championship and the Asia Para Archery Cup next year, with the World Police and Fire Games set for 2029 across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Ekta Nagar.
A key venue under development is the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, which will include an aquatics centre, a football stadium, two indoor arenas and an athletes village for three thousand participants. The Narendra Modi Stadium, already one of the largest cricket venues in the world, will play a central role.
India has assured a grand edition with a full sports programme, including disciplines omitted from the scaled down 2026 Games in Glasgow. The Indian Olympic Association has stated that shooting, wrestling, archery and traditional sports like kabaddi and kho kho are expected to be included in the final lineup, reinforcing the country’s commitment to hosting an expansive and inclusive event.
