New Delhi: Ahmedabad has officially been chosen to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marking a historic win for India after months of intense competition, most notably against Abuja, Nigeria. The announcement came on Wednesday (November 26) at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow, where delegates from all 74 member nations and territories voted to ratify India’s bid.
India’s delegation in Glasgow included Joint Secretary (Sports) Kunal K, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha, IOA CEO Raghuram Iyer, and Gujarat Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi. Moments after the announcement, the hall erupted into colour and rhythm as 20 Garba dancers and 30 dhol drummers performed to celebrate the landmark decision.
PT Usha expressed pride and optimism following the confirmation.
“We are deeply honoured by the trust shown by Commonwealth Sport. The 2030 Games will not only celebrate a hundred years of the Commonwealth Movement but also lay the foundation for the next century,” she said. “It will bring athletes, communities, and cultures together in a spirit of friendship and progress.”
Sports Line-up for the 2030 Games
Commonwealth Sport confirmed that the 2030 edition will feature 15 to 17 sports, a notable expansion from the 10 sports finalised for the next Games in Glasgow. Some core disciplines already confirmed include:
- Athletics and Para Athletics
- Swimming and Para Swimming
- Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis
- Bowls and Para Bowls
- Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting
- Artistic Gymnastics
- Netball
- Boxing
The remaining sports will be finalised next year. Disciplines under consideration include Archery, Badminton, 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cricket T20, Cycling, Diving, Hockey, Judo, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Rugby Sevens, Shooting, Squash, Triathlon and Para Triathlon, and Wrestling.
India will also have the right to propose up to two additional sports, allowing room for either new additions or traditional Indian games.
Celebrations in India
In New Delhi — which last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 — celebrations broke out at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, with supporters organising impromptu gatherings, cheers, and fireworks.
Ahmedabad’s candidature had gained major momentum after the Commonwealth Sport Executive Board recommended it as the host city in October. The 2030 Games will be a Centenary Edition, marking 100 years since the first Commonwealth Games held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.
Infrastructure and Upcoming Events
As part of the evaluation process, the Commonwealth Sport team assessed Ahmedabad’s readiness in terms of infrastructure, athlete experience, governance standards, and compatibility with Commonwealth values.
In the lead-up to 2030, Ahmedabad will host several major events, including the Asian Weightlifting Championship and the Asia Para-Archery Cup, building on a packed sporting calendar that recently featured the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships, the Asian Aquatics Championships, and the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers.
The Games will be centred around two key venues:
- Narendra Modi Stadium, equipped to host aquatic, football, and indoor events.
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, currently under construction, which will serve as the athlete village, housing up to 3,000 athletes and officials.
With its infrastructure push, cultural energy, and statewide support, Ahmedabad now gears up to host one of the biggest sporting spectacles in India’s recent history.