India has confirmed its intention to submit a bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, a move widely seen as part of the country’s broader ambition to host the 2036 Olympics.
Speaking after a meeting on Wednesday, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha told local media, “Our preparations will go ahead,” signaling the country’s readiness to compete for hosting rights.
The capital, New Delhi, which previously hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games but faced criticism over construction delays, inadequate infrastructure, and corruption allegations, is under consideration as the host city. Another possible venue is Bhubaneswar, located in the eastern state of Odisha.
However, speculation in Indian media points toward Ahmedabad in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state, as the front-runner. The city boasts the world’s largest cricket stadium, a 130,000-seat arena named after Modi, which hosted the 2023 Cricket World Cup final.
India has already taken steps toward its long-term sporting goals, having submitted a formal letter of intent to the International Olympic Committee last year to host the 2036 Olympics. The country has previously organized cricket World Cups and twice hosted the Asian Games, and it is set to co-host the Women’s Cricket World Cup this September.
Competition for the 2030 Commonwealth Games is heating up, with Nigeria and at least two other nations reportedly showing interest. The Games have faced challenges securing hosts, particularly after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew from the 2026 edition over financial concerns. Glasgow has since stepped in to hold a scaled-down version of that event.
India now has until the end of August to file its official bid, with the final decision expected in November in Glasgow. Should India secure hosting rights, IOA officials say the Games will be a “full-fledged” affair. “We will have all the sports we are good at and have a chance of winning maximum medals,” IOA executive council member Rohit Rajpal told the Times of India. That lineup could include traditional Indian sports like kabaddi and kho kho, which the nation is also lobbying to see added to the Olympic roster.
Despite being home to 1.4 billion people, India’s Olympic track record remains modest, with only 10 gold medals won in its history.
What you should know
India is aiming to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games as part of a larger push to bring the 2036 Olympics to the country, with Ahmedabad emerging as the most likely host city due to its massive sports infrastructure and recent high-profile events.
