India Seeks to Host 2030 Commonwealth Games as Bid is Officially Approved

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has officially sanctioned India's bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The decision was made during a Special General Meeting held in New Delhi on 13 August 2025.

Ahmedabad has been proposed as the host city for this global sporting event. India had previously submitted an Expression of Interest and is now preparing to finalize its bid before the imminent deadline of 31 August.

The chances of India securing the Commonwealth Games have markedly improved following Canada's withdrawal from the bidding process. This development places India in a favourable position as it competes against other interested nations.

A team from Commonwealth Sport, led by Director of Games Darren Hall, visited Ahmedabad recently to conduct site inspections and hold discussions with local government officials regarding infrastructure and venue preparations.

A larger delegation from Commonwealth Sport is anticipated to visit Ahmedabad later this month to further assess the bid. The host country will be officially selected at the General Assembly of Commonwealth Sport, slated for the last week of November in Glasgow, Scotland.

India previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010, held in New Delhi. The event garnered significant attention, and India is now aiming to build on this legacy as it seeks to position itself as a global hub for major sporting events.

The bid for the Commonwealth Games is viewed as part of India's broader ambitions to stage international sporting events, including a potential bid for the Olympic Games in 2036, as indicated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India's aspiration to host the Olympics is contingent upon establishing a verified history of successfully organising major events. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has also outlined plans to host further significant competitions, aiming to secure the 2029 and 2031 World Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar and Ahmedabad, respectively.

This renewed focus on international sport comes amidst ongoing challenges within the Commonwealth Games Federation, which has struggled to secure hosts for upcoming editions. Earlier this year, reports indicated concerns over escalating costs that led to Victoria, Australia withdrawing from their hosting duties, thereby raising uncertainties about the future of the Games.

Glasgow stepped in to become the new host but has since reduced the number of sports to be featured, focusing solely on ten disciplines across four venues, which reflects the ongoing pressures within the sporting community.

In summary, the Indian Olympic Association's formal approval of the 2030 Commonwealth Games bid signifies an important step in India's journey towards becoming a prominent player on the global sporting stage, and its success could pave the way for hosting even larger events in the future.