Highlights:
- Ahmedabad selected as the proposed host for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, pending final approval in November.
- The event will serve as a key stepping stone toward India’s 2036 Olympics bid.
- Ahmedabad's Naranpura Sports Complex and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Enclave to serve as main venues.
- Amit Shah calls it a “day of immense pride,” crediting PM Modi’s vision for India as a sports hub.
- With other countries withdrawing from hosting due to costs, India’s readiness positions it as a stable and capable host nation.
In a historic move that strengthens India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympics, Ahmedabad has been chosen as the proposed host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games (CWG), marking the event's centenary edition. The decision, endorsed by the executive board of Commonwealth Sport, positions India as a strong contender on the global sporting stage. The final approval will be taken by the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26, 2025.
A major boost to India's Olympic aspirations
India last hosted the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010, an event remembered as much for its sporting achievements as for its controversies, including poor planning, infrastructural delays, and corruption allegations. The time, the country aims to showcase a vastly improved model of sporting management and transparency.
Indian home minister Amit Shah, who is leading India's 2036 Olympics bid, called the decision a 'day of immense joy and pride,' highlighting prime minister Narendra Modi's vision of transforming India into a global sports hub. The games are expected to serve as a large-scale test run for the infrastructure and organizational standards required for hosting the Olympics.
Ahmedabad as the sporting capital
The Naranpura Sports Complex, built for $99 million, and the upcoming Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Enclave, which includes the Narendra Modi Stadium, will be key venues for the Games. Unlike the multi-city approach planned for the 2036 Olympics, the 2030 CWG will be centred around Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
According to P. T. Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), hosting the Games will not only strengthen India’s global sporting credibility but also inspire the nation’s youth and contribute to the larger vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Global context and competition
The Commonwealth Games have faced significant instability in recent years. The 2022 Games were relocated from Durban to Birmingham after financial issues in South Africa, while the 2026 Games were left without a host after Victoria, Australia, withdrew due to high costs. Glasgow will now organize a limited version of the 2026 edition.
Amid this uncertainty, Ahmedabad and Nigeria’s Abuja emerged as the only two serious contenders for 2030. With Doha hosting the Asian Games in 2030, India aims to use the CWG as a platform to display its readiness and credibility ahead of the Olympic host selection.
What lies ahead
A senior IOA official stated that India hopes to use the 2030 CWG build-up to prove it is a reliable and capable host. “We’ve learned our lessons from 2010. By delivering the Games transparently and efficiently, we can show the world that India is ready for the Olympics,” the official said.
If approved in November, the 2030 Commonwealth Games will not only mark India’s return to hosting a global sporting event after two decades but also act as the launchpad for its 2036 Olympics dream — symbolizing the country’s growing confidence and capability on the world stage.
