Ahmedabad Secures Historic 2030 Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is set for a grand centenary celebration in 2030, after the Indian city of Ahmedabad was officially confirmed as the host. The decision was made by members during a General Assembly held in Glasgow, marking a significant victory for the Indian bid over its competitor, the Nigerian capital Abuja.
A Centenary Steeped in History
This selection for the 2030 event carries profound historical weight, as it will be held exactly 100 years after the inaugural Commonwealth Games in Hamilton, Canada. For India, it represents a return to hosting duties, having previously organised the Games in Delhi in 2010. The city of Ahmedabad, a major hub in the western state of Gujarat, successfully saw off the challenge from Abuja to claim the right to stage this prestigious anniversary.
Navigating a Challenging Climate for Major Events
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the Commonwealth Games, which faces serious questions about its long-term viability. The event has been plagued by declining interest from potential hosts, driven largely by its enormous operational costs. Touted bids from nations including Canada, South Africa, and Australia for the 2030 edition failed to materialise.
This financial concern was starkly highlighted last year when Daniel Andrews, the premier of the Australian state of Victoria, cancelled plans to host the 2026 Games. He revealed that the projected cost had ballooned from a budgeted $2.6bn to an estimated $6-7bn. In response, the organisers of next year's event in Glasgow have committed to a more streamlined approach.
The Glasgow 2026 budget is set at £130-150m, with the majority—£100m—coming directly from the Commonwealth Games Federation. A key pledge is that the event will not burden the public purse, a model future hosts will likely observe closely.
Despite these challenges, the core mission of the Commonwealth Games remains: to unite the 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth through a multi-sport festival often referred to as the “Friendly Games.” The success of the Ahmedabad edition will be crucial in determining the event's place in the 21st-century sporting landscape.
