CWG 2023: Big Day! India’s bid to host 2030 Commonwealth Games to ‘receive formal approval’ today
Commonwealth Games to return to India after two decades
India is on the verge of another major milestone, with the nation expecting to be officially confirmed as the host for the 2030 Commonwealth Games when the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly make their announcement later today.
The Commonwealth Sport Board recommended India’s bid after conducting its evaluation of potential hosts, which included assessments around infrastructure, experience, governance and alignment with Commonwealth Sports Values.
While there was speculation that India’s hosting rights were already agreed months ago, formal confirmation is now expected to be provided later today, with Ahmedabad believed to be announced as the host city.
Home to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave and the world’s largest cricket stadium, Ahmedabad saw off competition from Abuja, Nigeria, which is now likely to be considered as one of the front-runners for the 2034 edition of the Commonwealth Games.
India last staged the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in Delhi, meaning the global event is expected to return to the country after 25 years. The formal announcement from the Commonwealth Sport Board is scheduled to be made at 18:30 IST in Glasgow, Scotland.
Massive step for India’s 2036 Olympic Games hopes
Assuming that the reports are confirmed, India hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games will be another huge step toward a bigger goal for the country - staging the 2036 Olympic Games - which has also been proposed for Ahmedabad.
The city has already shown its capacity to host major global events, having done so with the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships, Asian Aquatics Championships and the 2026 AFC Under-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Additionally, Ahmedabad is also set to welcome the Asian Weightlifting Championship and Asia Para-Archery Cup to its shores next year, while the World Police and Fire Games are slated to be held in the city in 2029.
Bidders for the 2036 Games include Qatar, Turkey, Chile, Egypt, South Africa, Germany, Indonesia and South Korea. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is expected to provide a final decision on the host nation in late 2026 or early 2027.
