Ahmedabad to Host Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, Pledges Flawless Execution

Ahmedabad, India, has been officially confirmed as the host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marking the centenary edition of the multi-sport event. This significant decision was ratified by Commonwealth Sport (CS) during its General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26, 2025, as reported by DD News.

The selection process saw Ahmedabad emerge as the preferred candidate over Abuja, Nigeria, following a detailed evaluation by the Commonwealth Sport Evaluation Committee. The Indian bid was formally recommended in October 2025, according to The Federal, paving the way for its final approval.

India has committed to delivering a "flawless execution" of the Games, emphasizing inclusive planning to prevent the organizational challenges that marred the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. Gujarat's principal sports secretary, Shri Ashwini Kumar, stated that organizers are ahead of schedule, with most venues already prepared.

The 2030 Games are expected to feature between 15 and 17 sports, with core disciplines like athletics, swimming, table tennis, bowls, weightlifting, artistic gymnastics, netball, and boxing already confirmed. T20 cricket, hockey, and shooting are among other sports under consideration, as reported by paralympic.org.

Hosting the Commonwealth Games holds immense strategic importance for India, bolstering its ambition to bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics. Ahmedabad has been actively upgrading its sports infrastructure, demonstrating its capability to host major international events, according to the Daily Pioneer.

Dr. Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport, expressed his delight, stating that India brings "scale, youth, ambition, rich culture, enormous sporting passion and relevance" to the movement. He believes the centenary Games will lay the foundation for the next century of the Commonwealth movement, as noted by the New Zealand Olympic Committee.

PT Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, highlighted the honor and responsibility of hosting, affirming that the Games will foster friendship and progress among Commonwealth nations. This sentiment was echoed in her statement to DD News.

• Historical Context and Centenary Significance: The 2030 Commonwealth Games will be a landmark event, celebrating 100 years since the inaugural Games were held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930. This will be India's second time hosting the Games, following the 2010 edition in Delhi, and the third time for an Asian city, as detailed by Wikipedia. The centenary celebration aims to showcase a century of sporting excellence and development across the Commonwealth, according to Amdavad 2030 organizers.

• Addressing Past Challenges and New Commitments: The 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games faced significant controversies, including allegations of corruption, construction delays, and poor living conditions in the athletes' village, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged brought "disrepute" to the country, as reported by insidethegames. Ahmedabad's organizers have explicitly vowed not to repeat these mistakes, with Gujarat's principal sports secretary, Shri Ashwini Kumar, assuring that preparations are well underway and funding is secured, according to The Guardian.

• The Bid Process and International Competition: The journey to securing the 2030 Games began with potential host cities exploring bids as early as 2021. India and Nigeria submitted formal proposals by the August 31, 2025, deadline, with Ahmedabad ultimately recommended by the bid evaluation commission on October 15, 2025. Commonwealth Sport later decided to consider Abuja, Nigeria, for the 2034 edition, as stated by The Federal.

• Economic and Social Impact Potential: Hosting the Commonwealth Games is projected to bring substantial economic benefits to Ahmedabad and India. A report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for Commonwealth Sport indicated that previous Games have boosted host city GDP by £0.8 billion to £1.2 billion, with increases in tourism and trade deals, sportspro reported in 2020. The event is also expected to inspire a new generation of athletes and enhance India's global sporting image, according to edexlive.

• Infrastructure and Key Venues: Ahmedabad plans to utilize state-of-the-art facilities for the Games, with the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world's largest cricket stadium, serving as a primary venue for ceremonies. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, currently under construction, will host multiple events and an athletes' village for 3,000 people, as detailed by The Federal. Ahmedabad has also recently hosted other major sporting events, demonstrating its readiness.

• Evolving Sports Program: The 2030 Games will feature a dynamic sports program of 15 to 17 disciplines. Beyond the confirmed core sports, a provisional list includes popular choices like T20 cricket, archery, badminton, 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, cycling, diving, hockey, judo, rugby sevens, shooting, squash, triathlon, and wrestling. The host city also has the flexibility to propose up to two new or traditional sports, according to paralympic.org.

• Broader Strategic Implications for India: The successful hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a crucial step in India's larger ambition to host the 2036 Summer Olympics. This move aligns with the nation's sustained progress in sports development and its desire to be a global center for sports, as highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X, reported by DD News.