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“Looking forward to welcoming the world,” is what a jubilant Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed on the evening of Wednesday, 26 November, as news broke that Ahmedabad had officially been awarded the hosting rights for the Centenary Commonwealth Games 2030 — the second-biggest sporting event in the world, next only to the Summer Olympics.
Announcing the decision, Commonwealth Games Federation President Donald Rukare said, “This is the start of a golden era for us. India brings scale, youth, ambition, rich culture, enormous sporting passion and relevance.”
The above developments have overnight raised the bar for Ahmedabad to become future-ready, with the dream of hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics coming a notch closer.
The Game Changer
I rest my case
regarding the substantive benefits with two examples:
- The metamorphosis of Delhi: How three prior major games held in India — the inaugural Asian Games (1951), the Asian Games (1982), and the Commonwealth Games (2010) — proved to be game changers for the national capital.
- How the Seoul Olympics propelled South Korea into the big league: Before the 1988 Summer Olympics, South Korea was primarily known internationally for the Korean War and its dictatorships.
I begin with Delhi.
One, the Benefits that Accrued to Delhi: The Asian Games 1951, Asia’s first major multi-sport event, jump-started the creation of Delhi’s sporting infrastructure in a short timeframe — including the National Stadium and related venues.
Though the economic impact was modest owing to the smaller scale of the event and the nascent stage of India’s economy, the 1951 Games laid the groundwork for Delhi’s later urban infrastructure efforts, such as improved transport and communication lines.
However, it was the Asian Games 1982 that proved truly transformative, with major contributions including:
- Large-scale investments that created iconic sports facilities such as the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and Talkatora Stadium.
- A major infrastructure push — 290 new buses, 290 km of widened roads, several flyovers, new hotels, and improvements in power and water supply (an additional 15 million gallons per day), among others.
Estimates suggest that the 1982 Games accelerated Delhi’s development by a decade, upgrading transport, hospitality, and utilities that catalysed urban modernisation and contributed to regional GDP growth in the early–mid 1980s.
Held at an estimated final cost of Rs 18,532 crore, the 2010 Commonwealth Games also had ripple effects on Delhi’s economy. They created and upgraded sporting facilities; the new Games Village became a well-connected, high-end residential address; the airport was modernised; new hospitality destinations emerged; urban infrastructure was upgraded; the road network expanded significantly; and 123 km of Delhi Metro’s Phase II was completed in the compressed timeframe of three and a half years.
Enhanced international visibility for Delhi was an added bonus.
Collectively, these three global sporting events contributed significantly to shaping the Delhi we know today.
Secondly, South Korea Reborn: Hosting the Olympics is a costly affair, and the event is often viewed through the narrow lens of immediate financial return. But for a fast-growing country like India, holding the Olympics — the world’s biggest mega sporting event — after a major regional multi-sport event (the Commonwealth Games) can be many times more transformative.
The 1988 Seoul Olympics are widely recognised as the turning point that transformed Seoul into a modern global metropolis.
Beyond Seoul’s urban transformation, the 1988 Games brought several cascading benefits for South Korea:
Global Recognition and Soft Power Boost
- Marked South Korea’s arrival as a modern industrial nation.
- Being the first Olympics hosted by a developing Asian economy showcased its rapid modernisation.
- Improved diplomatic relations, notably between the East and West during the final years of the Cold War.
- Considered a watershed moment in South Korea’s global image.
Economic Benefits
- Boosted tourism, foreign investment and international trade.
- Helped South Korean companies such as Samsung, Hyundai and LG enhance their global branding.
- Stimulated the construction, technology and services sectors.
- Long-term return on investment was strongly positive as the infrastructure remained in use for decades.
Political Impact
- The Olympics indirectly contributed to South Korea’s democratisation movement.
- International attention encouraged political liberalisation and greater transparency.
Sports Development
A major boost to sporting culture and international events followed, culminating in South Korea confidently co-hosting the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Additionally, the run-up to the Olympics created 330,000 jobs and brought the following long-term quantified benefits to Seoul and South Korea:
- GDP Growth Acceleration: Record 11.6 per cent GDP growth in 1988, with sustained high growth into the 1990s. The Olympics contributed an estimated 5-10 per cent of the “Miracle on the Han”, by modernising infrastructure (subways, highways, Incheon Airport precursors), boosting exports and tourism, and globalising Korean brands such as Hyundai and Samsung.
- Exports and Tourism Surge: A permanent increase in tourism (foreign visitors doubled post-Games) and a 20–30 per cent rise in exports in key sectors like electronics and automobiles due to enhanced global exposure.
- Multiplier Effects: Infrastructure investments produced a 1.5–2x return through urban regeneration. Seoul’s per-capita GDP rose from around USD 6,000 in 1988 to over USD 20,000 by the mid-1990s, partly attributed to Olympic legacy venues and reforms.
These figures represent conservative estimates; total legacy value (including intangible branding) is often cited as exceeding USD 10-15 billion when factoring in decades of compounded growth. Unlike many Olympic hosts, Seoul achieved profitability and avoided “white elephant” projects through strategic long-term reuse.
The Template
Given that Ahmedabad already has, and is developing, sizeable sporting and other infrastructure, I estimate that the combined cost of preparing for the Commonwealth Games and improving its chances of hosting the 2036 Games will be at least USD 12–14 billion.
But this can act as a major catalyst to push Gujarat towards a USD 1 trillion GSDP, the Ahmedabad Metropolitan Region towards a USD 500 billion economy, and, as happened in Seoul, raise Ahmedabad’s per capita GDP from USD 7,500–8,500 to closer to USD 30,000 (the World Bank level for a developed-country GDP).
Catch-22 Situation
Ahmedabad is now in a catch-22 situation because, apart from securing the right to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and submitting its intent for the 2036 Games, the Ahmedabad Metropolitan Region is growing so fast that its 2050 population may reach close to 20 million, making previous projections wrong. Added to this is the real possibility of Gujarat becoming a USD 1 trillion economy in the next 10 years. If this is the case, what should be the pace of infrastructure development in the coming years?
To explain this, I first look at the core infrastructure that must be in place before an Olympic bid is accepted. It is important to note that the final decision on the host city for the 2036 Olympics is expected by 2027, three years before the Commonwealth Games are held.
These are the key pre-bid requirements:
Requirements for the Host City
All potential Olympic host cities must show that sustainability and legacy are at the centre of their Games plan, looking many years beyond the event. Each project should match the goals of the Olympic Movement, as set out in Olympic Agenda 2020 and Olympic Agenda 2020+5, and with the host region’s long-term development plans. Important points considered by the IOC are:
- Geopolitical, socio-economic, human-development and environmental factors
- Vision and venue masterplan
- Alignment with long-term development plans
- Expected sustainability and legacy impacts
- Political and public support
- Funding strategy
- Sports-event experience, accommodation capacity, transport infrastructure, and safety and security
I have no doubt that, given the commitment at the highest level of government and India being a high-energy sporting nation, clearing the above requirements should be possible, even with many countries and cities competing.
Core Infra Requirement
Before the IOC accepts an Olympic bid, cities must show existing or committed core infrastructure through questionnaires, site visits and formal guarantees in the Applicant/Candidate phase. No new buildings are required before the bid, but plans must show that 80–95 per cent of venues will use existing or upgraded facilities with clear legacy justification.
Key requirements include:
| Category | Minimum Pre-Bid Standard | IOC Evaluation Focus |
| Sports Venues | 70%+ existing venues meeting specifications (e.g., 80k-seat stadium, aquatics hall, velodrome) | Venue masterplan; no “white elephants”; test events feasible |
| Transport | High-capacity public transit (metro/airport 20M+ pax/year); 30-60 min venue access | Airport/metro expansions planned; Olympic lanes viable |
| Accommodation | 80,000+ hotel beds (4-5 star); athletes’ village site (10k+ beds post-Games housing) | Media/IOC hotels secured; scalability shown |
| Security/Safety | Proven multi-layered systems; anti-doping labs; emergency protocols | National guarantees; cyber/physical readiness |
| Security/Safety | Proven multi-layered systems; anti-doping labs; emergency protocols | |
| Technology | Fiber/5G networks; broadcast centres | OBS integration; global media ops feasible |
| Utilities | Reliable power/water (surge capacity); waste management | Sustainability (zero-waste goals); environmental compliance |
Where Does Ahmedabad Stand
Sporting Infra
Ahmedabad’s sporting infrastructure is rapidly developing, targeting high international standards for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and positioning itself as a contender for hosting the 2036 Olympics. In Narendra Modi Stadium, it already has a world-class facility that can be upgraded quickly.
But the biggest sporting infrastructure on the anvil is the under-construction Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, being developed at a cost of Rs 6,000 crore and likely to be operational by 2028. The mega complex will feature 10 new stadiums, including facilities for gymnastics, skateboarding, softball, tennis, football, aquatics, and an 18,000-seat indoor arena. It will also house the athletes’ village, designed for around 3,000 athletes.
Further, the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Naranpura — with Olympic-standard aquatic facilities, indoor multi-sport arenas, and a Centre for Sports Excellence — is operational, developed at about Rs 825 crore.
Additional ongoing work includes transforming the Gujarat Police Academy site into a sports hub and developing several mini-sports complexes in locations like Naroda and Ghuma.
Gap Analysis: While the above is good news for the Commonwealth Games host, as Olympic aspirants, there exist gaps even for the Commonwealth Games. The key gap remains a Games City that can accommodate a minimum expected 3,000 athletes and 2,500–3,000 support staff in one place. The city also needs immaculate preparation, as it currently lacks experience in hosting global, multi-sport, large-scale events at once. The city must also improve gaps related to venue diversification, accommodation capacity, and integrated urban mobility to fully realise its hosting potential.
Preparing for Olympic Approval
For Ahmedabad to meet Olympic standards, major infrastructure gaps and required upgrades include:
- Venue Diversification and Capacity: Existing and planned sports venues focus heavily on Commonwealth Games disciplines. Additional specialised venues need to be constructed or upgraded to Olympic standards for sports like cycling (velodrome), rowing, equestrian, shooting, and fencing. Venue capacities will need to scale for larger audiences expected during the Olympics — both domestic and international visitors.
- Athletes’ Village Scaling: The current athletes’ village plan for approximately 3,000 for the Commonwealth Games itself needs upgradation because the Games Village must accommodate a minimum of 3,000 athletes and 2,500–3,000 support staff.
But to be selected as an Olympic host city, Ahmedabad needs a Games Village that can accommodate 10,000+ athletes plus support staff, and earmarked facilities for dining, recreation, health care, with robust safety and security architecture.
As the IOA mandates converting the Games Village later into a robust residential area, the time now is to announce a well-laid plan for developing the Olympic Games Village, situated slightly away from the main city but connected well with world-class metro, bus services, BRTS, wide roads with facilities for pedestrians and cyclists on both sides, and robust first-mile and last-mile connectivity.
It will be a win-win situation, whether Ahmedabad is allotted the 2036 Olympics or not. It can follow the world’s best-practices principle of creating Tama City near Tokyo in Japan, using node-based and place-based TOD principles.
Accommodation and Hospitality
Hospitality is one area where, even to successfully hold the Commonwealth Games, Ahmedabad must substantially add new hotels and expand the capacity of existing ones in a limited timeframe of less than five years to accommodate 100,000-plus visitors of all kinds. And it will need to further increase this effort for Olympic ambitions.
Minimum Transport Capacity Requirements for Olympic Bid
For an Olympic bid to advance past the Applicant/Candidate phases, cities must demonstrate existing high-capacity public transport systems capable of scaling to handle 10–15 million unique visitors (athletes, officials, media, spectators) over 17 days, with peak daily surges of 500,000–1 million movements.
| Component | Minimum Pre-Bid Capacity | IOC Focus/Examples |
| Airport | 20-30M passengers/year (pre-event baseline) with the possible surge to surge to 50M+ | Delhi reached 25-30 million per year capacity prior to 2010 Commonwealth Games, Tokyo Narita expanded to 4 M on run to Olympics, Paris 30M+ capacity and Rio Galeão upgraded for 40M peaks. Dedicated terminals/Olympic lanes. |
| Public Transit (Metro/Rail/BRT) | 2-3x pre-event capacity; 10,000+ buses/trains daily | 95%+ venues <45 min from village; Olympic Routes e.g. Seoul constructed 188 km metro network in run up to Olympic, Beijing added 7 metro lines while Delhi added 123 km for 2010 Commonwealth Games over and above 65 Km it already had |
| Road Network | 100+ km dedicated Olympic lanes; 500km+ upgraded arterials | VIP/media shuttles; low congestion (<20% during peaks). |
| Last-Mile/Access | 100% venues with seamless multi-modal hubs | Park-and-ride (50,000+ spaces); app-integrated ticketing for 200,000+ daily users. |
| Overall Daily Peak | 1-2M pax movements; zero major delays | Test events prove scalability; sustainability (electric fleets, zero-emission goals). |
The IOC evaluates via detailed transport master plans, site visits, and guarantees, ensuring 30–60-minute venue access for all stakeholders. No full new builds are required pre-bid, but 70–80 per cent existing/upgradable infrastructure with legacy plans is mandatory. To be Olympic-ready, this is what Ahmedabad must achieve.
The above are only a few of the key actions that must begin on a war footing. Integrated, high-capacity urban mobility infrastructure is central. Existing metro, BRTS, bus services, roads, pedestrian and cyclist facilities, appropriate parking and airport capacities need radical upgradation, with seamless first and last-mile connectivity between venues and the athletes’ village. Also, logistics corridors for media and VIPs must be strengthened.
Getting ready for the Commonwealth Games is what Ahmedabad cannot escape now, and to actualise the dream of hosting the 2036 Olympics, it must do a lot more. But given the reputation and past performance of the city, it can do it, and it must do it. All the best, Ahmedabad and Bharat. It is thy chance to script sporting history and move fast towards the Viksit Gujarat, Viksit Bharat goal.
The author is a multidisciplinary thought leader with Action Bias, India-based international impact consultant, and keen watcher of changing national and international scenarios. He works as president, advisory services of consulting company BARSYL. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
