Ahmedabad formally named as 2030 Commonwealth Games host

The Commonwealth Games will return to India after a gap of 20 years, with Ahmedabad hosting the 2030 centenary edition.

Commonwealth Sport (CS) on Wednesday made the announcement from Glasgow through a physical-cum-virtual press conference after its General Assembly ratified the Executive Board’s October 15 proposal in favour of Ahmedabad ahead of the Nigerian capital city of Abuja.

The opportunity would give a boost to India’s ambition to bid for the 2036 Olympics.

CS president Dr. Donald Rukare said the decision followed a “robust evaluation process.”

The Indian delegation, including Gujarat Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi and Indian Olympic Association president P.T. Usha, underlined that the Games would be athlete-centric and sustainable, “which can be taken for next 100 years.”

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Acknowledging the challenges related to Delhi hosting the 2010 Games, which was mired in controversies due to delayed projects and allegations of corruption, Gujarat Sports Department principal secretary Ashwini Kumar said the Games could be staged with existing infrastructure. But with the city having aspirations of becoming the sports capital of the country, new venues would be added.

“This time we are well-prepared. The organising committee is going to be established within a month or so. Our fundamentals are very strong,” said Ashwini, adding lessons could be learnt from the past editions to avoid over-committing on infrastructure.

He said infrastructure would be built at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave and Gujarat Police Academy, which would include an athletics stadium and a shooting range.

“The funding has been secured by the Government. The construction is likely to begin by April 2026, and we will be completing by the end of 2028 or early 2029,” he said, adding Ahmedabad would also host the 2029 World Police and Fire Games.

Ashwini said October, coinciding with the festive season of Navratri and Diwali, would be the preferred month to host the Games.