Centre clears India's Commonwealth Games 2030 bid, grant-in-aid sanction for Gujarat

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday, August 27, approved the submission of India’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games (CWG), marking a significant step in the country’s growing ambition to stage major international sporting events. Alongside the bid, the Cabinet also sanctioned the signing of a Host Collaboration Agreement and assured grant-in-aid to the Gujarat government if the bid is accepted.

Ahmedabad has been earmarked as the host city, with officials highlighting its world-class infrastructure, training facilities, and sporting culture. The Narendra Modi Stadium — the largest in the world — has already showcased its capacity to host global events, most notably the the ICC men's World Cup in 2023.

The 2030 Games are expected to draw participation from 72 nations and territories, generating large-scale employment, boosting tourism, and creating professional opportunities across a range of sectors beyond sport.

India will also be looking to host an inclusive Commonwealth Games, bringing back several medal events that were dropped from the 2026 Games. Hockey, cricket, badminton, wrestling, table tennis, diving, rugby sevens, beach volleyball, mountain biking, squash and rhythmic gymnastics were among the major medal events that were dropped from the 2026 Games.

The Cabinet approval comes days after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) formally cleared the country’s bid during its Special General Meeting on 13 August. The IOA moved swiftly to finalise the decision well before the 31 August deadline.

For India, the 2030 CWG bid aligns with its long-term sporting ambitions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly expressed the government’s desire to bring the Olympic Games to India in 2036, a goal that will require a proven record of successfully staging multi-sport global events. Hosting the CWG is seen as a stepping stone towards that objective.

India’s recent forays into hosting international competitions underscore this ambition. The Athletics Federation of India staged the Continental Tour bronze-level meet in Bhubaneswar earlier this year, and plans are in motion to bid for the 2029 and 2031 World Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar and Ahmedabad respectively.

India last hosted the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010. Before that, the Asian Games in 1982 were the country’s most prominent multi-sport spectacle.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has in recent years struggled to secure hosts, particularly after Victoria, Australia, pulled out of the 2026 edition citing rising costs. Glasgow stepped in to save the event, albeit with a reduced programme of just ten sports across four venues. India had earlier proposed retaining all disciplines excluded from the 2026 Games to safeguard its medal prospects, but the CGF rejected the request.

If approved, the Ahmedabad Games would not only reinforce India’s sporting credentials but also enhance its standing as a destination capable of delivering mega international events, paving the way for its loftier Olympic aspirations.