2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games will be hosted by Amdavad, India

A populous city in India’s northwest will usher in a new century of elite sport after officially being selected to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games. Amdavad, formerly known as Ahmedabad, is a city in the state of Gujarat and was confirmed as the host after Commonwealth member nations and territories ratified India’s bid at a general assembly in Glasgow. The historic city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its medieval Islamic architecture and association with the Indian independence movement. Its hosting duties come 100 years after the first Games were held in Hamilton, Canada in 1930 and eight years after the Birmingham, England edition, during which Australia topped the medal table. The 2030 sports program will include athletics, swimming, table tennis, bowls, weightlifting, plus their parasport equivalents, alongside artistic gymnastics, netball and boxing. The full itinerary is still being reviewed, with archery, badminton, rugby sevens, triathlon and wrestling among those under consideration. The final Centenary Games program is expected to be announced next year. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is also a Gujarat native, welcomed the decision, saying it was a result of the nation’s “spirit of sportsmanship”. “Delighted that India has won the bid to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games 2030!” he wrote on X. “Congratulations to the people of India and the sporting ecosystem. “It is our collective commitment and spirit of sportsmanship that has placed India firmly on the global sporting map. “With the ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), we are eager to be celebrating these historic games with great enthusiasm. “We look forward to welcoming the world!” India’s landmark edition of the Games will usher in a “new golden era” of competitive sport, Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare said. “After a ‘Games reset’ we head to Glasgow 2026 in fantastic shape to welcome the 74 teams of the Commonwealth before setting our sights on Amdavad 2030 for a special Centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games,” he said. “India brings scale, youth, ambition, rich culture, enormous sporting passion and relevance, and I’m delighted to report strong interest from a range of nations to host the 2034 Games and beyond. “We start our next century for the Commonwealth Games in good health.” The South Asian nation was honoured by the “trust” of fellow member nations in selecting the Gujarat city for the 2030 edition, Commonwealth Games Association of India president PT Usha said. “The 2030 Games will not only celebrate a hundred years of the Commonwealth movement but also lay the foundation for the next century,” he said. “It will bring together athletes, communities, and cultures from across the Commonwealth in a spirit of friendship and progress.” It was a proud moment to see India host the historic Games, India’s world champion boxer Jaismine Lamboria said. “Amdavad will give athletes and fans a very warm and vibrant welcome, and having the opportunity to compete on home soil in 2030 will be a huge motivation for me and for many others. I’m excited for the next decade for Indian sport,” she said.