The city of Ahmedabad has officially been confirmed as the host for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marking a historic moment for Indian sports and setting the stage for an ambitious bid for the 2036 Olympic Games. The Commonwealth Sport General Assembly's approval has triggered an accelerated infrastructure development race across the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar region.
Massive Infrastructure Projects Underway
Gujarat principal secretary for sports, youth and cultural activities Ashwani Kumar announced that major construction projects will begin in April 2026 and complete by late 2028 or early 2029. The centerpiece will be the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave (SVPSE) and the Police Academy Sports Hub, with government funding already secured for both projects.
"The construction of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave and the Police Academy Sports Hub will begin in April 2026 and finish by late 2028 or early 2029," Kumar stated during media interactions in Glasgow following Ahmedabad's successful bid.
Most venues for the 2030 Games are already ready, and the organizing committee will be constituted within a month, according to officials. The Narendra Modi Stadium, the world's largest cricket stadium, will host the opening and closing ceremonies.
Compact Games Design and Sustainability Focus
Unlike previous multi-state sporting events, the 2030 Commonwealth Games will feature a remarkably compact design concentrated primarily within the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar cluster. This strategic approach will enable faster athlete movement and significantly reduce carbon footprint.
According to the official document 'Games Vision, Concept and Legacy — Commonwealth Games 2030', this compactness "cuts athlete travel time and allows seamless integration of metro, BRTS and electric mobility." Only two disciplines will occur outside this hub: cycling at the Statue of Unity near Kevadia and women's cricket in Vadodara.
Ahmedabad also plans to discuss sustainability, diversity and inclusion during the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (CHOGM) in 2026 and 2028, emphasizing environmental consciousness throughout the planning process.
Economic Impact and Urban Development
The Games are expected to transform Ahmedabad's infrastructure and economic landscape. Tejas Joshi, president of Credai Gujarat, highlighted that hosting CWG will be a "game changer for Ahmedabad" that will create demand for approximately 20,000 star-category hotel rooms and boost retail development.
Accommodation infrastructure is expanding rapidly, with Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar currently offering 5,420 hotel rooms in the 3-5 star range, plus an additional 3,000 planned—including 1,500 new 5-star rooms. University hostels will be upgraded to house athletes during the Games and serve students afterward.
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) airport, which currently handles 13.4 million passengers annually, will add a new terminal by 2026 to double its capacity and introduce modern e-gates and kiosks.
Long-Term Sports Legacy and Olympic Ambitions
Beyond the 2030 Games, Gujarat has clear ambitions for the 2036 Olympics. "World-class sports academies will be set up, encouraging a sports culture among city youths. After the Commonwealth Games, Ahmedabad aims to host the 2036 Olympics. The next decade will bring historic developments to the city," Joshi confirmed.
Athlete development programs are already accelerating, with Gujarat's sports budget growing dramatically from Rs 2.5 crore to Rs 521 crore over two decades. The state is scaling up talent hunts like Khel Mahakumbh, which engaged 7 million participants, and schemes such as Shaktidoot to support athletes.
Public participation initiatives include Active Gujarat, which will convert riverfronts and parks into fitness zones, and the expansion of Sabarmati Sundays—weekly open-street events. By 2030, Gujarat plans to train 10,000 volunteers and create over 30,000 jobs linked to the Games.
The journey to hosting rights began in January 2025 when India received a letter of intent from CWG, culminating in the formal confirmation on November 26 when the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly named Ahmedabad as host city for the 2030 centenary Commonwealth Games.
