India has officially entered the race to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with Ahmedabad named as the proposed venue. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) confirmed on Friday that a delegation submitted the bid proposal at the Commonwealth Sport headquarters in London.
Harpal Singh, IOA Executive Council member and part of the Commonwealth Sport committee, described the bid as more than just a sporting contest. “This is not just a bid to stage a sporting event — it is our commitment to the Commonwealth family to deliver Games that are athlete-centred, inclusive, sustainable, and future-facing,” Singh said.
According to Singh, the effort aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambition to bring the 2036 Olympic Games to India. “Successfully hosting the Commonwealth Games will demonstrate our nation’s capability, strengthen our international credibility and lay the foundation for the Olympic journey ahead,” he added.
India’s federal government cleared the proposal earlier this week, authorizing the signing of the Host Collaboration Agreement (HCA) and providing necessary guarantees from relevant ministries.
If successful, the Games would be staged in Ahmedabad, a city that has emerged as a major sporting hub in recent years, bolstered by new infrastructure investments including the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket venue.
Tough competition
India will face competition from Canada and Nigeria, who have also submitted bids. The final decision on the 2030 host city will be announced at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow this November.
A troubled tradition
The Commonwealth Games, a multi-sport event involving mostly former British colonies, has struggled to secure stable hosts in recent years. The 2022 Games were moved to Birmingham after Durban, South Africa, withdrew due to financial difficulties. Next year’s edition will be a scaled-down event in Glasgow, after Australia’s state of Victoria pulled out over soaring costs.
Against that backdrop, India’s bid could be seen as both ambitious and strategic — a chance to showcase its readiness for larger global events while helping to revive the Commonwealth Games brand.