Ahmedabad Officially Named Host City for 2030 Commonwealth Games
Ahmedabad has been officially confirmed as the host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, securing the final approval during the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly held in Glasgow on Wednesday.
India’s bid had earlier been selected ahead of Abuja, Nigeria, but Wednesday’s ratification formalised the country’s role as host. Celebrations erupted immediately after the announcement, with 20 Garba dancers and 30 dhol drummers surprising delegates with a vibrant cultural performance.
The decision marks a significant milestone for the Commonwealth Games movement, which has faced turbulence in recent years. In 2023, the Australian state of Victoria withdrew from hosting the 2026 edition due to rising costs, prompting Glasgow to step in and organise a scaled-down version of the event. Similarly, Durban was stripped of hosting rights for the 2022 Games after failing to meet bid commitments, with Birmingham ultimately stepping in.
Delegates from Nigeria congratulated India on securing the 2030 hosting rights and reaffirmed the nation’s determination to host the Games in the future.
Commonwealth Sport president Dr Donald Rukare said the confirmation of Ahmedabad’s bid shows the movement has “turned a positive corner” towards a more stable and promising future. Reflecting on the challenges of recent years, he said there had been uncertainty over the future of the Games, but Glasgow’s intervention and India’s successful bid signalled renewed confidence.
“This is part of our overall Games reset and refresh strategy,” Rukare said. “We are looking at the Games in a slightly different way and stand here very optimistic about the future of the movement.”
President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, Dr PT Usha, assured that the 2030 Games would “lay the foundation for the next century,” emphasising India’s commitment to delivering a transformative sporting event.
Katie Sadler, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, praised Glasgow’s “innovative and different” approach to hosting the upcoming 2026 Games, calling it essential to revitalising the Commonwealth sporting community.
With Ahmedabad now confirmed, preparations will intensify as India gears up to host one of the world’s largest multi-sport events for the first time.
