India has officially been awarded the hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, defeating Nigeria’s Abuja after a highly competitive bidding process.
The Commonwealth Sport Executive Board announced on Wednesday that Ahmedabad, located in the western Indian state of Gujarat, will serve as the host city. The decision is expected to be formally ratified during the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26, 2025.
This will mark the return of the Games to India for the first time since Delhi 2010, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Commonwealth Games — a symbolic milestone for the event’s centenary celebration.
Ahmedabad’s selection was largely influenced by its world-class infrastructure, led by the Narendra Modi Stadium, the largest sports arena globally with a capacity of 132,000 spectators. The city, home to over five million people, has gained international recognition for successfully hosting major sporting events and is even viewed as a potential future Olympic host.
Reacting to the announcement, Dr. P. T. Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, described the win as a moment of national pride and an opportunity to unite the country.
“We see the 2030 Games as a powerful opportunity to inspire our youth, strengthen international partnerships, and contribute to a shared future across the Commonwealth,”
she said.
Nigeria’s loss means that Africa’s long wait to host the Commonwealth Games continues, despite growing global appeals for the continent to finally stage the event after a century of its existence.
This is the second time Abuja has fallen short, following its failed attempt to host the 2014 Games, which were awarded to Glasgow.
According to Gossip News Now, Nigeria’s 2030 bid enjoyed strong backing from President Bola Tinubu, who publicly endorsed it in July 2025. The Nigerian Olympic Committee had earlier submitted its expression of interest on March 28, presenting Abuja’s proposal as “a compelling narrative of progress and readiness.”
In August, a high-level Nigerian delegation comprising government officials and sports administrators traveled to London to present Abuja’s sustainability-focused hosting plan to the Commonwealth Games Federation. Both Abuja and Ahmedabad were the only cities to meet the submission deadline of August 31.
Commonwealth Sport President, Donald Rukare, commended both countries for their efforts, noting that their bids underscored the Games’ enduring global relevance.
“The enthusiastic response from two of the Commonwealth’s sporting powerhouses demonstrates the continued significance of the Games and the strength of our sustainable hosting model,”
Rukare said.
India’s campaign gained further momentum after Canada’s proposed multi-province bid collapsed earlier this year. Hamilton, Ontario — host of the first-ever 1930 British Empire Games — had initially been the sentimental favourite before withdrawing due to financial constraints.
According to Commonwealth Sport, candidate cities were evaluated based on infrastructure readiness, athlete experience, governance standards, and alignment with Commonwealth values.
While confirming Ahmedabad’s selection, the organisation emphasized that Nigeria’s hosting ambitions remain alive.
“The Commonwealth Sport Executive Board has agreed to develop a strategy to support and accelerate Nigeria’s future hosting ambitions, including possible consideration for the 2034 Games,”
the body stated.
