India has won the bid to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030, edging out Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, after a closely contested race that went down to the wire.
The Commonwealth Sport Executive Board announced on Wednesday that Ahmedabad, in the western state of Gujarat, had been selected as the host city. The decision will be formally ratified during the organisation’s general assembly in Glasgow on November 26.
The 2030 Games will mark India’s return as hosts for the first time since Delhi staged the event in 2010. Ahmedabad’s successful bid leaned heavily on its world-class sporting infrastructure, led by the Narendra Modi Stadium, the largest sports venue in the world with a capacity of 132,000, which hosted the 2023 Cricket World Cup final.
With a population of over five million and a growing reputation as a sports hub, Ahmedabad is even being tipped as a future Olympic Games host.
Reacting to the announcement, Dr P. T. Usha, president of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, described the victory as a moment of pride and opportunity for 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.
For Nigeria, the decision is a major setback as Africa’s long wait to host the Commonwealth Games continues — despite increasing calls for the event to make its debut on the continent during its 100-year history.
This is the second time Abuja has missed out, having previously lost the 2014 hosting rights to Glasgow. Nigeria’s latest bid had enjoyed strong government backing, with President Bola Tinubu pledging full support in July 2025.
The Nigeria Olympic Committee formally submitted its expression of interest on March 28, 2025, presenting Abuja’s proposal as “a compelling narrative for the nation’s progress and readiness.”
In August, a high-powered Nigerian delegation, including top government and sports officials, met with the Commonwealth Games Federation in London to showcase the country’s preparedness to deliver a sustainable event.
Abuja and Ahmedabad were the only cities to meet the August 31 submission deadline.
Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare commended both nations for their strong bids, describing the interest as proof of the Games’ continued global relevance.
“The response from two sporting powerhouse nations demonstrates the continued significance and legacy potential of the Commonwealth Games and the strength of our reimagined, sustainable model,” Rukare stated.
India’s bid gained momentum after Canada’s multi-province proposal collapsed earlier in the year. Hamilton, Ontario — the host of the inaugural 1930 Games — had been seen as a sentimental favourite but withdrew due to financial constraints.
The evaluation commission assessed candidate cities based on infrastructure, athlete experience, governance, and alignment with Commonwealth values. While confirming Ahmedabad’s selection, Commonwealth Sport also promised to support Nigeria’s hosting ambitions in the near future.
“The Commonwealth Sport Executive Board has agreed to develop a strategy for supporting and accelerating Nigeria’s hosting ambitions for future Games, including consideration for 2034,” the body said in a statement.
The 2030 Games will mark 100 years since the inaugural event, then known as the British Empire Games. It was held in Hamilton. Ahmedabad’s selection is also seen as a stabilising moment for the Commonwealth Games, following recent challenges that saw Victoria (2026) and Durban (2022) withdraw from hosting.
With India set to host the centenary celebration, the Games return to Asia, but for Nigeria and Africa as a whole, the dream of bringing the Commonwealth’s biggest sporting event to the continent remains just out of reach.