CWG 2030: Is Ahmedabad Ready to Turn Hosting Rights into a Multi-Billion Sports Business Opportunity?
Despite having the Narendra Modi Stadium, several facilities like skating rinks, tennis courts, and sports complexes remain underused or stalled, with past projects costing up to ₹731.37 crore.
Almost fifteen years ago, then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi took a major initiative to kick-start the sporting culture in the state and introduced Khel Mahotsav. Now, Gujarat is set to host a major international event after winning the bidding war over Nigeria for the hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. But as it is said, with great power comes great responsibility. Gujarat might have the world’s largest cricket stadium (Narendra Modi Stadium), but to host such a massive event, the state has to do some homework. Major sports infrastructure in Ahmedabad, the city selected as host, lacks basic sports infrastructure.
Major shortcomings in Ahmedabad’s sports infrastructure
Several sports facilities across the city, including skating rinks, tennis courts, and large complexes, are lying unused due to poor maintenance and long-stalled projects. An expenditure of ₹1 crore was incurred on developing the old Vadaj skating rink 15 years ago, yet no visible improvement can be seen today. A report by DNA India dated December 2010, noted that less than a year after the skating rink was developed is in such a bad condition that the door and even the plaque bearing the name of then revenue minister Anandiben Patel, who inaugurated the rink, had been stolen. Leader of opposition in the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), Shehzad Khan Pathan, stressed that the rink “vanished without a trace”. But the problems just kept piling up since then.
The proposed international standard tennis stadium near Sardar Patel Stadium has been stuck for five years because of disputes, while the heritage stadium has itself remained shut since 2022, with no progress on renovations. Pathan recently stated that a tennis court near Memnagar Lake has been shut while citizens are unable to access the Narangpura Sports Complex, inaugurated in September at a cost of ₹731.37 crore. Two sports complexes were built on the Sabarmati Riverfront at a cost exceeding ₹20 crore. It was alleged that the Shahpur facility remains closed despite being handed over to private operators. Pathan accused the civic body of negligence even as Ahmedabad prepared to host the 2030 CWG. Despite these setbacks, one industry has set its sights straight on this global event, seeing opportunity where others see obstacles.
Obstacles for some, opportunities for others
Hosting the CWG 2030 is expected to drive major infrastructure investment and real estate demand in Ahmedabad, especially in zones near key venues such as Motera and GIFT City. The scale of such events is reflected in past editions of CWG, like the Gold Coast 2018, which cost £1,193.30 million and generated wide economic activity. Ahmedabad currently delivers 35,000-40,000 new houses annually, a number expected to rise. The games are expected to create over 50,000 new jobs across hospitality, service, and event operations. The hotel sector estimates a requirement of about 4,000 five-star rooms and 6,000 mid-range rooms.
Developers anticipate accelerated supply growth, with CREDAI projecting a 25%-30% expansion in the city’s real estate market in the coming years. In addition to this, a ₹3,000 crore new terminal at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is expected to significantly increase passenger capacity with the metro extension towards the Sports Enclave and deeper Gandhinagar connectivity.
Hosting the games after 16 years for the second time and a shift from the national capital, the Commonwealth Games will certainly pose challenges for some while opening the door to growth for others.