India Secures Hosting Rights for 2027 Asian Athletics Relays and 2028 Indoor Championships

India has been awarded hosting rights for the 2027 Asian Athletics Relays and 2028 Asian Indoor Championshipsfollowing the Asian Athletics Association executive council meeting held in Hong Kong on Thursday.

The 2027 Asian Relays will take place in Chandigarh while Bhubaneswar has been selected to host the 2028 Asian Indoor Championships. The decision represents a significant boost for Indian athletics as the country prepares to showcase its sporting infrastructure on the continental stage across two major track and field events.

"The Asian Relays will be hosted in Chandigarh while Bhubaneswar will host the Asian Indoors," confirmed Athletics Federation of India spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla, who attended the AAA meeting in his capacity as World Athletics vice president. Sumariwalla's presence at the Hong Kong meeting underscored India's growing influence within Asian and global athletics governance structures.

The Sector 7 Sports Complex in Chandigarh will serve as the venue for the Asian Relays, marking the third edition of this two-day tournament. The competition will feature men's, women's and mixed relay events across the 4x100m and 4x400m disciplines, bringing together the continent's fastest sprinters and middle-distance runners. The Union Territory venue has previously hosted national-level competitions and will now step up to accommodate Asia's premier relay specialists. Meanwhile, the Kalinga Indoor Stadium in Odisha's capital Bhubaneswar will host both the Asian Indoor Championships and World Indoor Championships in February and March respectively during the 2028 Olympic year. This dual hosting arrangement positions India as a central hub for indoor athletics during one of the sport's most significant calendar years.

The hosting announcements form part of India's broader ambitions to establish itself as a major destination for international athletics competitions. The Athletics Federation of India is actively pursuing additional hosting opportunities, including a bid for the World Under-20 Championships likely to be held in a major North Indian city during the 2028 season. These efforts extend beyond youth competitions, with India also submitting bids for senior World Championships scheduled for either the 2029 or 2031 editions. The strategic approach reflects the federation's confidence in the country's sporting infrastructure and organizational capabilities, building on successful hosting experiences from previous international events. The timing of these bids coincides with India's increasing investment in athletics facilities and coaching programs, creating a foundation for sustained excellence in track and field sports. The Asian Athletics Association's decision to award these hosting rights acknowledges India's proven track record in managing large-scale sporting events and the quality of its athletics venues.

Sportscape observes that India's successful bid for these prestigious athletics championships signals the country's emergence as a major force in Asian track and field administration. The strategic selection of Chandigarh and Bhubaneswar demonstrates thoughtful venue planning that leverages existing infrastructure while expanding the geographical reach of elite athletics competition across the subcontinent.