Ahmedabad, India, is set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marking the event’s centenary.
The city was chosen ahead of Abuja, Nigeria, by the Commonwealth Sport evaluation commission, with the decision expected to be ratified in Glasgow on November 26.
The selection of Ahmedabad for 2030 is seen as a major boost to the Games’ future, which had been in doubt after recent difficulties in finding hosts. The new, slimmed-down format, designed to reduce costs, has clearly enticed new bidders.
Ahmedabad, home to over five million people and a potential future Olympic bidder, offers world-class infrastructure, including the Narendra Modi Stadium—the world’s largest, with a capacity of 132,000.
Dr. P T Usha, president of Commonwealth Games Association India, called the Games a “powerful opportunity to inspire our youth.”
The news is a setback for Abuja, which missed out on hosting for a second time.
Commonwealth Sport, however, stated they will develop a strategy to support Nigeria’s hosting ambitions for future Games, including consideration for the 2034 edition.
The 2030 Games will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the inaugural event held in Canada in 1930.
