India's chances of hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games (CWG) have received a boost as Canada's multi-province bid encounters obstacles. While India has presented a strong case, primarily centered around Ahmedabad, recent developments in Canada have introduced an element of uncertainty regarding their bid's viability.
Several Canadian bids have faltered in the past due to a lack of provincial government support and concerns about escalating costs. Recently, Ontario withdrew from the multi-province bid, which also included Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. This withdrawal has cast a shadow over Canada's chances, potentially paving the way for India to strengthen its position.
Commonwealth Sport Canada proposed a "United Canada" bid to distribute venues across the country's provinces. The organization's president, Rick Powers, stated that this approach would avoid new construction and focus on renovating existing venues, potentially cutting costs by 60%. However, securing commitments from multiple provinces has proven challenging.
India has formally expressed its interest in hosting the 2030 CWG, with Ahmedabad proposed as the primary host city. The country aims to leverage existing infrastructure, including the Narendra Modi Stadium, and showcase its ability to host large-scale sporting events. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been actively engaging with Commonwealth Sport officials to understand the requirements and present its preparations.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has publicly supported India's ambitions. CEO Katie Sadleir has lauded India's transformative work in sports and expressed confidence in the country's potential to become a leading sporting nation. India views hosting the Commonwealth Games as a stepping stone towards its larger goal of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games in Ahmedabad.
Nigeria is also competing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. In April 2025, Commonwealth Sport confirmed that it has received official expressions of interest from seven Commonwealth nations and territories keen to explore hosting future editions of the Commonwealth Games, with five nations interested in hosting the 2030 CWG.
The CGF has implemented a new, more flexible hosting selection process, allowing potential hosts to propose innovative and cost-effective solutions. This approach aims to attract more bids and ensure the long-term sustainability of the Games. The deadline for submitting final bids is August 31, 2025, and the CGF is expected to announce the host city in November 2025.
India's bid focuses on creating a legacy-oriented, future-focused edition of the Games, utilizing existing venues and ensuring a lasting positive impact on local communities. The country hopes to restore sports like wrestling, hockey, and badminton to the Games program, which were removed from the 2026 edition due to cost-cutting measures.