India to Host World Athletics Indoor Championships 2028 in Odisha
The World Athletics Council has made a landmark decision, selecting Odisha in India to host the World Athletics Indoor Championships in 2028. This announcement, made during the 240th World Athletics Council Meeting in Torun, Poland, marks a significant milestone for Indian athletics, as it will be the first time India hosts a global track and field championships.
Historic Decisions for Emerging Markets
In a move that underscores World Athletics' strategy to expand into emerging markets, the Council also awarded the 2030 edition of the championships to Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan. Additionally, the 2028 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships were granted to Hefei in China. These decisions were finalized during a two-day meeting on March 18-19, 2026, ahead of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "In awarding the next two editions of this storied championships to Odisha and Astana, I am delighted that the World Indoors continues to go from strength to strength, captivating audiences around the world, and that our next two hosts reflect our strategy of taking our events to emerging markets." He also congratulated Hefei, noting China's strong lineup of host cities for World Athletics Series events from 2025 to 2028.
Odisha's Proud Moment and Sporting Vision
The 2028 World Indoor Championships are scheduled to take place from March 3-5, 2028, in Odisha, an eastern Indian state on the Bay of Bengal. Odisha has a proven track record in hosting major sporting events, including the Asian Championships in 2017 and World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meetings.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi hailed the decision as a proud moment for both the state and India. "We extend our sincere gratitude to World Athletics and the Athletics Federation of India for placing trust in Odisha to host one of the most prestigious championships in global athletics," he said. Majhi emphasized that over the past decade, Odisha has made sport a central pillar of its development vision, investing in world-class infrastructure and athlete programs to foster a vibrant sporting culture and inspire future generations.
Astana and Hefei: Expanding Global Reach
Astana will host the 2030 World Athletics Indoor Championships from March 15-17, 2030, building on its experience with the Asian Indoor Championships in 2023 and World Indoor Tour Gold meetings in 2024 and 2025. Askhat Khasenov, President of the Kazakhstan Athletics Federation, expressed gratitude for the trust and commitment to delivering a high-standard event.
Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province in Eastern China with a population of 10 million, will host the 2028 World Race Walking Team Championships on April 9, 2028. This event continues China's athletics journey, following World Athletics Series events in cities like Nanjing, Guangzhou, Yangzhou, and Beijing from 2025 to 2027. Chinese Athletics Association President Sun Yuanfu pledged to work closely with Hefei to ensure a successful and memorable championships.
These hosting decisions highlight World Athletics' efforts to globalize the sport, bringing premier events to diverse regions and fostering athletic development worldwide. The announcements have been met with widespread acclaim from sports communities in India, Kazakhstan, and China, signaling a new era for indoor athletics on the global stage.
