The Commonwealth Sport Executive Board has suggested that Ahmedabad, also known as “Amdavad,” in the Indian state of Gujarat, host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. This will be the 100th anniversary of the Games.
On November 26, 2025, the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow will make the final decision.
There are a number of reasons why this is important:
- This is the second time the Games have come back to India; the first time was in New Delhi in 2010.
- The 2030 edition is the 100th anniversary edition, which is a big deal for the Commonwealth sports movement.
- It shows that India is very serious about being a player, host, and organizer in international sports.
Why Ahmedabad was chosen
Here are some of the main reasons why the Ahmedabad bid was strong:
1. Infrastructure and being prepared One of the biggest stadiums in the world is the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This proves that the city can hold large international sports events.
2.The bid includes a plan for the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, which will have major sports venues, an aquatics center, indoor arenas, and a village for athletes. This shows that the people who planned it are thinking ahead.
3. The Commonwealth Sport’s evaluation looked at the infrastructure, the athletes’ experiences, the governance, and how well the bid fit with the “Games Reset” principles of cost control, sustainability, and legacy. Ahmedabad met those standards well enough to be suggested.
Timing and a bigger picture
- It’s not just another Games in 2030; it’s the 100th anniversary. The host must plan not only the logistics but also a meaningful celebration of 100 years of the Games. Ahmedabad’s bid put a lot of weight on this frame.
- Hosting 2030 is a step toward India’s bigger goals, such as its bid to host the 2036 Olympics. Ahmedabad’s plans for the 2030 CWG are part of a bigger plan that will last for a long time.
Value proposition: openness, tradition, and long-term success
- The bid is all about legacy. It wants to make sure that the venues, transportation links, and athlete development systems will keep helping the city and region long after 2030.
- It’s important to be inclusive and have modern government. The bid story talks about things like gender equality and including para-sports, which are all things that people expect from big sporting events these days.
Things to think about and problems
There are a lot of reasons to be hopeful, but there are also some things you need to be careful about:
- The recommendation is strong, but the host has not been officially confirmed yet. In November, the General Assembly will vote. There is no promise until then.
- Risk of execution: Plans for big infrastructure projects are ambitious and might run into problems with time, money, or logistics. Many people who have hosted sporting events in the past have learned that having a plan is one thing, but making it happen is another.
- Price and value for money: It always costs a lot of money for the public to host big sports events. Most of the time, the debate is about whether the long-term benefits are worth the costs. People have said this in public.
Understanding the legacy:
It’s one thing to build venues; it’s another to make sure they are used, easy for communities to get to, and don’t turn into “white elephants.” How Ahmedabad plans and runs that will be very important.
Keeping up with standards for governance: Part of the reason the bid was looked at was to see how well it followed values and rules. As things get more serious, it will be very important to keep things open, run things well, and do the right thing. —
What it might mean for Ahmedabad and India
- Hosting the 2030 CWG in Ahmedabad would help India get better at international sports and help athletes grow, improve sports facilities, bring in tourists, and build international partnerships. This is a big deal for a country that wants to do well in sports.
- For Ahmedabad and Gujarat: The city’s urban infrastructure could get a lot better, with better sports venues, transportation, hotels, and tourism. People all over the world will pay a lot of attention to it. It could bring more attention to less popular sports in India, get more people to play at the grassroots level, and make it easier for athletes to get involved, especially if the legacy planning is good.
- For the Commonwealth Games movement: Some past hosts have dropped out because of costs, but Ahmedabad’s successful bid and plan are seen as a good sign that the Games can still find good hosts and grow.
A note to remember and celebrate
This recommendation makes me proud of Indian sports, of Gujarat’s progress, and of the 100th anniversary of the Commonwealth Games. But it’s also a time to think: hosting is just the beginning. The next thing that happens is what really matters:
Will people use stadiums?
Will young people be able to use the sports facilities?
Will the changes to the infrastructure be good for everyone in the city?
Will the Games be good for the environment and society, or will they just be a few weeks of competition?
Thinking about what’s to come
The next steps that are most important are: Wait until the General Assembly in Glasgow votes on November 26, 2025.
- As the preparations get more intense, watch how Ahmedabad and Gujarat carry out their plans for infrastructure and the future.
- Pay attention to how involved the public is, how clear the costs are, and how much the planning is focused on the athletes.
- If you’re interested, you might be able to watch, volunteer, or do business around 2030 sooner than you think.
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