India has been chosen to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030, bringing the prestigious multi-sport event back to the subcontinent for the second time in two decades — and marking a significant moment in the Games’ 100-year history.

 

The western Indian city of Ahmedabad was selected ahead of Abuja, Nigeria, following a thorough assessment by an evaluation commission from Commonwealth Sport, the international body responsible for the Games. The final decision is expected to be officially ratified at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26.

 

Ahmedabad, a rapidly growing metropolis with a population of over five million, offers world-class sports infrastructure. Central to its winning bid is the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest sports arena with a seating capacity of 132,000 — a venue that recently drew global attention during the final of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.

 

Reacting to the announcement, Dr. P.T. Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, said the Games would serve as a platform to engage youth and deepen ties across the Commonwealth.

 

“We see the 2030 Games as a powerful opportunity to inspire our youth, strengthen international partnerships, and contribute to a shared future across the Commonwealth,” said Dr. Usha.

 

India last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010, when New Delhi welcomed thousands of athletes and officials from across the globe. The return of the Games in 2030 — exactly a century since their inception — is seen as both a symbolic and strategic win for the world’s most populous nation.

 

For Nigeria, the selection of Ahmedabad over Abuja is a bitter disappointment. The capital city has now missed out twice, having previously lost its bid for the 2014 Games to Glasgow. The result also means Africa’s wait to host its first-ever Commonwealth Games will continue, despite repeated efforts and growing calls for continental inclusion.

 

When confirmed in November, the 2030 Games will further bolster India’s profile as a global hub for major sporting events — and could strengthen Ahmedabad’s long-term aspirations to bid for the Olympic Games.