In a major boost to India’s growing sporting ambitions, Ahmedabad has been recommended as the host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. It is a milestone edition marking 100 years of the global sporting event.
The decision is seen as a prelude to India’s larger goal of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games. The decision was announced by the executive board of Commonwealth Sport after its meeting on Wednesday.
The board said “Amdavad will now be put forward to the full Commonwealth Sport membership” for formal approval at the General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26. If ratified, this will make Gujarat’s largest city the first Indian host since Delhi in 2010.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is spearheading India’s Olympic bid, hailed the recommendation as “a day of immense joy and pride for India”. In a post on X, Shah said, “By creating world-class infrastructure and nurturing a vast pool of sporting talent, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made India a marvel of a sports destination.”
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P. T. Usha called the decision a moment of opportunity for India’s next leap in sports. “The 2030 Games will not only showcase our capability to host world-class events but also contribute meaningfully to India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047,” she said, describing the event as a chance to inspire youth and strengthen international ties across the Commonwealth.
Ahmedabad’s Rise As India’s Sports Capital
Over the past few years, Ahmedabad has been transformed into a hub of large-scale sports infrastructure. The sprawling Narendra Modi Stadium — the world’s largest cricket venue — has already hosted international events of historic scale, including the 2023 ICC World Cup final.
The adjoining Naranpura Sports Complex, inaugurated recently at a cost of Rs. 825 crore, is expected to serve as one of the main CWG venues. The complex recently hosted both the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships and the Asian Swimming Championships, giving officials a preview of its readiness for multi-discipline events.
The Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium is also surrounded by several facilities that will be put to use. It has an Olympics size swimming pool, badminton courts and Table Tennis arenas.
Another key component of the city’s plan is the upcoming Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, a mega facility that will bring together venues for athletics, indoor sports, and aquatics, besides housing the athletes’ village. Officials say the enclave will be the centerpiece of Ahmedabad’s 2030 CWG plan and a lasting legacy project for the 2036 Olympic bid.
Beyond the city limits, Gandhinagar is also expected to host a few disciplines, making it a two-city event similar to international models of compact games. New metro links, upgraded roads, and improved hospitality infrastructure are being accelerated as part of the Games blueprint.
“Ahmedabad has already demonstrated the capability to host mega events efficiently. The 2030 CWG will only build on that,” a senior Gujarat government official was quoted by an English language national daily
A Troubled Event Finds A Home
The Commonwealth Games, which have struggled in recent years to find hosts, received bids only from Ahmedabad and Abuja (Nigeria). The 2022 edition was rescued by Birmingham after Durban pulled out due to financial constraints, while the 2026 Games — originally awarded to Victoria, Australia — will now be held in Glasgow after a similar withdrawal. The 2026 event will feature only 10 sports due to cost-saving measures.
By contrast, India’s proposal has been described by Commonwealth Sport as “ambitious yet realistic.” A statement from the governing body noted that Ahmedabad’s bid “reflects India’s commitment to the values of the Commonwealth and its capacity to stage a Games that embodies the diversity and scale of modern sport.”
Building Toward The Olympic Bid
For India, the 2030 Games are more than just another international event — they are a test run for 2036. “We intend to use the build-up to the CWG to demonstrate that India can deliver on time, with transparency and global standards,” an IOA official was quoted in a section of the media. “Doha will host the 2030 Asian Games, and we want to show that India is equally ready and capable before the Olympic host is finalised.”
The 2030 CWG bid is part of a broader calendar of international events India is pursuing — including the 2027 Women’s Volleyball World Championship and the 2028 World U20 Athletics Championships.
India’s improved performance at recent Commonwealth Games has also bolstered confidence. The country finished fourth at the Birmingham 2022 edition with 61 medals, including 22 golds. While several traditional Indian medal events — such as wrestling, badminton, table tennis, and cricket — have been dropped from the next Games, officials believe a home advantage in 2030 could reignite public enthusiasm and athlete morale.
Learning From The Past
The 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games were marred by corruption allegations and infrastructural delays — lessons that Indian sports administrators say they are determined not to repeat. “We are more mature now as a sporting nation,” said an IOA functionary. “The 2030 Games will be a statement of credibility — that India can host responsibly, efficiently, and proudly.”
With Ahmedabad’s skyline already dotted with world-class facilities and construction cranes shaping new arenas, the city is positioning itself not just as a host, but as the heart of India’s sporting future.
Also Read: Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship 2025 In Ahmedabad https://www.vibesofindia.com/commonwealth-weightlifting-championship-2025-in-ahmedabad/
