Ahmedabad recommended as host for 2030 centenary edition
Ahmedabad is poised to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, following a formal recommendation from the Executive Board of Commonwealth Sport, announced on Wednesday. The final decision will be ratified at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26, but the board’s backing effectively positions the Gujarat capital as the frontrunner for the centenary edition of the Games.
“The Executive Board of Commonwealth Sport has today confirmed that it will recommend Ahmedabad, India, as the proposed host city for the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games,” said in an official statement.
Ahmedabad edged out Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, in the final round of consideration. The announcement marks a historic return of the event to Indian soil for the first time since Delhi 2010, which was marred by controversy and delays. This time, however, Indian officials are keen to prove the country’s readiness to deliver a seamless, world-class event.
The announcement has been seen as both a sporting and strategic milestone, positioning India as a dependable host capable of staging high-profile global events with professionalism and scale.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, father of ICC Chair Jay Shah, welcomed the news, calling it “a day of immense joy and pride for India.”
“Heartiest congratulations to every citizen of India on Commonwealth Association’s approval of India’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games 2030 in Ahmedabad,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
A day of immense joy and pride for India.
Heartiest congratulations to every citizen of India on Commonwealth Association's approval of India's bid to host the Commonwealth Games 2030 in Ahmedabad. It is a grand endorsement of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's relentless efforts to…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 15, 2025
“Raising world-class infrastructure and raising a nationwide pool of sports talent, (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji has made India a marvel of a sports destination,” Shah added.
Strategic step toward India’s 2036 Olympic bid
The move is widely seen as part of India’s broader ambition to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, for which Ahmedabad is also the proposed venue. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials have made no secret of the Games’ strategic value as a global showcase.
“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, say, 15 years ago,” an IOA official said, speaking to The Indian Express.
Hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games is thus being positioned as both a rehearsal and a declaration—an opportunity to demonstrate India’s evolution in sporting governance while laying groundwork for Olympic aspirations.
“We have learnt our lessons from the past,” the official added, referring to the setbacks of the 2010 Delhi Games.
IOA President P.T. Usha echoed this vision in an official statement:
“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 added: “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.”
Together, these voices reflect a unified national and institutional intent to use the Games as a transformative platform — not only to elevate India’s sporting capabilities but also to project long-term credibility on the global stage.
The evaluation process that led to Ahmedabad’s recommendation was extensive.
“The recommendation of Amdavad follows a detailed process overseen by the Commonwealth Sport Evaluation Committee, which assessed candidate cities against a wide range of criteria including technical delivery, athlete experience, infrastructure, governance, and alignment with Commonwealth Sport values,” said Commonwealth Sport in an official statement.
“India, the most populous nation in the Commonwealth, has a proud sporting history and a strong record of Commonwealth Games success, finishing fourth on the medal table at Birmingham 2022,” it added.
“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.”
A proud moment for Indian sport and infrastructure
Key figures across the Indian government celebrated the announcement as a landmark moment for the nation.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar posted on X:
“India will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad — a proud moment for Bharat and Gujarat. It is a testament to PM @narendramodi’s vision of world-class infrastructure and nurturing sporting talent.”
The Commonwealth Association’s approval for India to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad is a proud moment for Bharat and Gujarat.
It is a testament to PM @narendramodi’s vision of world-class infrastructure and nurturing sporting talent.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 16, 2025
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya wrote on X:
“A huge moment for Indian sports!…This decision reflects India’s growing dominance in global sport, made possible by the visionary leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi ji, whose commitment has put India firmly on the world sporting map.”
A huge moment for Indian sports!
Grateful to Commonwealth Sport’s Executive Board for recommending Ahmedabad as the proposed host city for the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a proud milestone for our nation.
This decision reflects India’s growing dominance in global…
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) October 15, 2025
From a global governance perspective, the decision is also being viewed as a step to restore stability to the Commonwealth Games, which has faced uncertainty in recent years after hosts for both 2022 and 2026 withdrew due to financial constraints.
With India stepping up at this critical juncture, the selection of Ahmedabad is being interpreted as a timely intervention—aimed at reinvigorating the Commonwealth Games and ensuring its continuity amid shifting global priorities.
Dr. Donald Rukare, Interim President of Commonwealth Sport, said in a statement:
“The Executive Board has carefully considered the Evaluation Committee’s findings and is recommending Amdavad to our membership… and we now look ahead to the General Assembly in Glasgow where our members will make the final decision.”
Cricket celebrates
Key figures in the cricket world celebrated this news as well.
Mrs. Nita M. Ambani, Founder Chairperson, Reliance Foundation, said, “India being recommended to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030 is a proud milestone in India’s journey as a global sporting powerhouse. It is a celebration of our nation’s sporting spirit and talent!
“My heartfelt gratitude to our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi ji for his visionary leadership and steadfast support in making this historic bid.
“This moment marks another step forward towards our shared dream of bringing the Olympic Games to India.”
Ahmedabad prepares for a global sporting stage
Ahmedabad has already begun enhancing its sporting infrastructure in anticipation of the Games. Among the key venues will be the newly inaugurated Naranpura Sports Complex and the upcoming Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, which will include a state-of-the-art aquatics centre, football stadium, and indoor sports arenas, in addition to the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium.
The city hosted the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships and the Asian Swimming Championships this year — part of India’s strategic build-up of event-hosting credentials.
These developments are not just logistical—they represent India’s intent to align infrastructure with global standards, ensuring that Ahmedabad doesn’t just host the Games, but elevates them.
The 2030 Commonwealth Games will coincide with the centenary of the inaugural Games held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930. With India expected to campaign for reinstating key sports like wrestling, shooting, and archery — excluded from the 2026 Glasgow programme — the 2030 edition is shaping up to be both a symbolic and strategic milestone in India’s sporting evolution.
