Nigeria Loses 2030 Commonwealth Games Bid to India: What This Means for African Sports Ambitions

In a closely watched decision, Nigeria loses the 2030 Commonwealth Games bid to India, continuing the continent of Africa’s long wait to host the historic centenary edition of the multi-sport event. The Commonwealth Sport Executive Board officially selected the Indian city of Ahmedabad, located in Gujarat state, over Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, in a competitive process that came down to the wire.

India Triumphs with World-Class Infrastructure
The 2030 Games will mark a century since the inaugural event was held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930. India’s successful pitch was overwhelmingly centered on its world-class infrastructure and burgeoning sporting profile. Ahmedabad, a city of over five million people, leveraged major existing venues, most notably the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium—the largest sports venue on the planet with a capacity of 132,000.

The victory means the Games will return to India for the first time since Delhi hosted the event in 2010. P. T. Usha, president of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, hailed the decision, stating the 2030 Games would serve as a powerful opportunity to inspire the nation’s youth and strengthen international partnerships.

Abuja’s Ambition and the Road Ahead
For Nigeria, the outcome is a significant disappointment. The bid had received strong backing from the highest levels of government, with President Bola Tinubu declaring his administration’s support for the project. Abuja’s proposal was described by the Nigeria Olympic Committee as a “compelling narrative for the nation’s progress and readiness.”

Unfortunately, this marks the second time the Nigerian capital has been overlooked, having previously lost the bid for the 2014 Games to Glasgow. Nigeria loses the 2030 Commonwealth Games bid to India, meaning Africa’s aspiration to bring the prestigious competition to the continent for the first time remains unfulfilled.

However, the journey is not over. The bidding process demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment and capability. Recognizing this, Commonwealth Sport has indicated that it will work to help accelerate Nigeria’s hosting ambitions for future events. The governing body specifically noted that consideration for the 2034 Games is part of the strategy to finally bring the event to African soil.

While the centenary celebration heads to Asia, Nigeria’s dedication to securing a future Commonwealth Games bid remains firm. The focus now shifts to developing the necessary strategy and infrastructure to ensure success when the next opportunity—potentially in 2034—arises