Just last month, India and Nigeria submitted formal proposals to host the centenary edition of the Games, and six weeks later, it looks set to go in the direction of the most-populous country in the world.

Confirming Ahmedabad, also known as Amdavad, as the 2030 host city now relies on a vote, set to take place at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26 2025.

The Scottish city will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games as a late replacement for the Australian state of Victoria, who withdrew as host in 2023. In December, it will host the twelfth edition of Host City.

The recommendation to award the Games to India comes after a “detailed process” from the Commonwealth Sport Evaluation Committee, which assessed candidate cities’ capabilities in areas such as technical delivery, athlete experience, infrastructure, governance and “alignment with Commonwealth Sport values” based on the “Games Reset” principles outlined by the organisation.

Commonwealth Sport added that both Ahmedabad and the Nigerian capital Abuja submitted “compelling proposals” in their bids. Despite missing out, there is a glimmer of hope for Nigeria. The Commonwealth Sport Executive Board agreed to develop a strategy that would support the country’s ambition to host a future Commonwealth Games, including in 2034.

Dr. Donald Rukare, Interim President of Commonwealth Sport, said: “We are grateful to both India and Nigeria for the vision and commitment they have shown in developing proposals to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Both proposals were inspiring, reflecting the scale of opportunity within our Commonwealth family.

“The Executive Board has carefully considered the Evaluation Committee’s findings and is recommending Amdavad to our membership. This is a significant milestone for the Movement as we look to our Centenary Games, and we now look ahead to the General Assembly in Glasgow where our members will make the final decision.

“The Board were impressed with the vision and ambition of Nigeria’s proposal and were united in our commitment to continue working with their team to explore future hosting opportunities. This decision reflects our determination to take the Commonwealth Games to the African continent.”

Dr. P T Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, said: “It would be an extraordinary honour for India to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in Amdavad. The Games would not only showcase India’s world-class sporting and event capabilities, but also play a meaningful role in our national journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

“We see the 2030 Games as a powerful opportunity to inspire our youth, strengthen international partnerships and contribute to a shared future across the Commonwealth.”

Viksit Bharat 2047 is a vision project from the Indian Government to make the country a developed nation by the centenary anniversary of India’s independence. India previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in Delhi. The awarding of the 2030 Commonwealth Games fares well for India’s ambitions to host a future edition of the Olympic Games.

An African nation has never hosted the Commonwealth Games. South Africa has twice been awarded, but would not go on to host. Johannesburg was the original host city for the 1934 edition, but this was moved to London due to concerns over the treatment of non-white athletes. Durban has awarded the 2022 event, but was stripped due to financial constraints. Birmingham was instead awarded hosting rights.

Harare, Zimbabwe, then known as Salisbury as part of the colonial federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, submitted a bid for the 1966 Games, while Nigeria has been unsuccessful on three attempts – Lagos in 1982 and Abuja in both 2014 and 2030.

The multi-sport event first took place in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada, and was formerly known as the British Empire Games, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games and British Commonwealth Games until adopting its current name for the 1978 edition in Edmonton.