India has been selected to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, edging out Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, in a closely contested bidding process.
The decision means Africa’s long wait to stage the multi-sport event will continue.
According to BBC Sport, the Commonwealth Sport Evaluation Commission confirmed Ahmedabad, a major city in western India, as its preferred host. The choice is expected to be formally ratified at the organisation’s General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26.
If approved, it will be the second time in 20 years that the Games are held in India, following Delhi’s successful hosting in 2010. The 2030 edition will also coincide with the centenary of the inaugural Games staged in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.
Ahmedabad’s world-class infrastructure, including the Narendra Modi Stadium — the largest in the world with a 132,000-seat capacity — was a major factor in the city’s selection. The stadium hosted the final of the 2023 Cricket World Cup and anchors a growing sports ecosystem in the region.
“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,” said Dr. P. T. Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, quoted by BBC Sport.
Nigeria’s Abuja had also made a strong case to host, highlighting Africa’s absence from the Games’ 94-year history. It is the second time Abuja has missed out, having lost the 2014 bid to Glasgow.
The development comes as a relief for Commonwealth Sport officials, ending concerns that the Games might not continue beyond Glasgow 2026. That edition was rescued after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew due to financial constraints — echoing earlier challenges faced when Birmingham stepped in for Durban in 2022.
A restructured format — featuring fewer sports, streamlined venues, and reduced costs — helped rekindle interest among prospective hosts including India and Nigeria.
In a statement cited by BBC Sport, Commonwealth Sport said candidate cities were evaluated on “technical delivery, athlete experience, infrastructure, governance, and alignment with Commonwealth Sport values.”
The body also pledged to support Nigeria’s hosting ambitions for future editions, including potential consideration for 2034.