India & Nigeria Bid To Host Centenary Commonwealth Games In 2030
India and Nigeria are vying to host the centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030 with both countries submitting formal bids by the August deadline.
The event five years hence will mark 100 years since the British Empire Games – which later became the Commonwealth Games – were first staged by Hamilton, Ontario in Canada.
India’s proposed host city is Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat, while Nigeria would stage the Games in the capital Abuja.
Should Nigeria get the nod at the General Assembly in Glasgow in November, they would become the first African country to host the Commonwealth Games. Durban, South Africa, was awarded the 2022 Games only to be stripped of hosting rights in 2017 due to financial issues. Delhi, the Indian capital, hosted the event in 2010.
Glasgow, Scotland, will host a pared-down Games next year after Victoria, Australia, withdrew because of escalating costs.
Commonwealth Sport President Dr Donald Rukare said: “We are delighted to confirm that India and Nigeria have submitted exciting formal proposals to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030. This positive response from two sporting powerhouse nations of the Commonwealth demonstrates the continued significance and legacy potential of the Commonwealth Games and the strength and appeal of our reimagined, sustainable Games model.
“I would like to thank the Commonwealth Games Associations (CGA) of India and Nigeria and their respective Governments for the dynamic and ambitious spirit in which they have engaged in the collaborative dialogue phase. The Commonwealth Sport team has been inspired by the National Sports Policies presented and excited about how the Games can advance national ambitions and create legacy benefits for local communities.
“The 2030 Evaluation Commission now has the important and difficult task of reviewing and evaluating the proposals and recommending a host to the Executive Board and ultimately, the 74 nation and territory members of the Commonwealth Sport Movement.”
Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadleir said: “We have made significant progress over the last 12 months, securing Glasgow as host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and announcing Malta as host of the next Commonwealth Youth Games in 2027. I would like to thank all of the member countries who participated in the Expression of Interest process, and of course, to credit Glasgow and Scotland for setting a truly collaborative, flexible and pioneering example with their 2026 model, which is inspiring new, diverse countries to consider hosting the Games in the decades ahead.
“Today’s announcement also sends a strong signal to our athlete community that the Commonwealth Games remains a major milestone in the global sporting calendar and will continue to be an event that attracts the very best athletes.”
