In a landmark development for global sport, the Executive Board of Commonwealth Sport has officially recommended Ahmedabad, India, as the proposed host city for the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games. The final decision will be made at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26, 2025.
The recommendation follows a comprehensive evaluation process led by the Commonwealth Sport Evaluation Committee, which assessed candidate cities on parameters including technical delivery, athlete experience, infrastructure, governance, and alignment with Commonwealth values. Both Ahmedabad, India, and Abuja, Nigeria, had submitted strong and visionary proposals inspired by the organisation’s ‘Games Reset’ principles—encouraging innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration.
The 2030 Games will mark the centenary of the inaugural event held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930. With Glasgow 2026 set to raise the bar for athlete and fan experiences, the Ahmedabad recommendation provides a solid foundation for the next chapter of the Commonwealth Games.
India—one of the most successful nations in Commonwealth Games history, having finished fourth in the medal tally at Birmingham 2022—has positioned Ahmedabad as a symbol of its sporting prowess and growing global influence. The city’s proposal highlights India’s readiness to deliver a large-scale, sustainable sporting event that reflects the spirit of a modern, diverse Commonwealth.
Dr. Donald Rukare, Interim President of Commonwealth Sport, said, “We are grateful to both India and Nigeria for the vision and commitment they have shown in developing proposals to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Both submissions were inspiring, and the Executive Board is recommending Ahmedabad to our membership. This marks a significant milestone for the Movement as we look to our Centenary Games.”
He further noted the Board’s appreciation for Nigeria’s efforts, adding, “The Board was impressed with the ambition of Nigeria’s proposal and remains committed to exploring future hosting opportunities to bring the Commonwealth Games to Africa.”
Dr. P.T. Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association India, expressed optimism and pride in India’s potential selection: “It would be an extraordinary honour for India to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. Beyond showcasing India’s world-class sporting and event capabilities, the Games would inspire our youth, strengthen international partnerships, and contribute meaningfully to our journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.”
While Nigeria narrowly missed the 2030 bid, the Commonwealth Sport Board confirmed its intention to continue working closely with the country to develop a pathway for hosting future Games, including potential consideration for 2034.
Shehu Dikko, Chairman of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission and Minister of Sports, said: “Though we are disappointed not to have been recommended for 2030, we are proud of our proposal, which reflected the unity and ambition of Nigeria’s sports vision. We now look forward to focusing on the 2027 Africa Youth Games and the Africa Games 2031 as we continue to build momentum toward bringing the Commonwealth Games to Africa.”
Katie Sadleir CNZM, CEO of Commonwealth Sport, emphasized the strategic importance of this recommendation: “The Centenary Games in 2030 offer an opportunity not just to celebrate 100 years of Commonwealth history but also to showcase how the Games can evolve to create meaningful impact for athletes, communities, and nations worldwide.”
If approved, Ahmedabad 2030 would mark a defining moment for India’s sporting ecosystem — celebrating a century of Commonwealth legacy while spotlighting India’s evolution as a global sports hub. The proposed Games are envisioned to blend tradition with innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity, setting new benchmarks for the future of multi-sport events.
