Which Sports Will Make It to Ahmedabad 2030? Here's What We Know
One of the most exciting questions surrounding the Commonwealth Games 2030 in Ahmedabad is no longer who will host — it's what will be played. With the sports programme still being finalised, a fascinating behind-the-scenes battle is underway to shape a lineup that could be India's most historic yet.
Cricket and Hockey are already confirmed. But the real drama is India's push to bring its indigenous sports — Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Mallakhamb, and Yogasana — onto the world's Commonwealth stage for the very first time.
Commonwealth Sport has confirmed that the Ahmedabad Games will feature between 15 and 17 sports. The core programme already includes Athletics and Para Athletics, Swimming and Para Swimming, Table Tennis, Bowls, Weightlifting, Artistic Gymnastics, Netball, and Boxing.
Beyond these, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has given a firm confirmation that both Cricket (T20 format) and Hockey will make a full comeback at Ahmedabad 2030. These two sports were dropped from the upcoming Glasgow 2026 edition to reduce costs — making their return to CWG 2030 all the more significant for Indian fans.
Under Commonwealth Sport rules, the host nation must include at least two sports from the trio of Hockey, T20 Cricket, and Rugby Sevens. India has made clear it will tick both boxes with Cricket and Hockey, sports where Indian athletes have historically performed exceptionally well.
Confirmed to return after being absent from Glasgow 2026. With the world's biggest cricket stadium — Narendra Modi Stadium — right in Ahmedabad, this will be one of the most watched events at the Games.
India's most decorated Commonwealth Games sport is back. Hockey was dropped for Glasgow 2026 but is confirmed for Ahmedabad. India has won gold in men's hockey multiple times and will be a strong favourite on home turf.
Swimming and Para Swimming are confirmed core sports. India is investing heavily in aquatics infrastructure in Ahmedabad to meet international competition standards.
A consistent medal-winner for India at every Commonwealth Games, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting are confirmed for 2030. Expect strong Indian performances across multiple weight categories.
Table Tennis — including the Para version — is confirmed as part of the core programme. India has been growing rapidly in this sport and home advantage could push medal hopes higher.
Confirmed for Ahmedabad 2030, Artistic Gymnastics remains a global crowd favourite. India's gymnastics contingent has been steadily improving under the Khelo India programme.
Never before have indigenous Indian sports been formally lobbied for at the Commonwealth Games level. That changes with Ahmedabad 2030. Sports Minister Mandaviya has publicly confirmed that the government is pushing hard for the inclusion of four traditional sports: Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Mallakhamb, and Yogasana.
"We spoke of these sports during the meeting. Yogasana, Mallakhambh, Kho-Kho and Kabaddi were discussed. We want them as part of the Commonwealth Games in 2030. We are very much hopeful that we will see some of them played when we host the Games," Mandaviya said after meeting the Commonwealth Sport delegation in April 2026.
The expectation is that two out of the four will make the final cut. Their inclusion would not just add medals for India — it would redefine what the Commonwealth Games stands for in its second century.
India's most famous indigenous sport and perhaps the strongest candidate for inclusion. India has dominated Kabaddi internationally and the sport already has a global following through the Pro Kabaddi League. Including it at CWG 2030 would be a landmark moment.
Kho-Kho received major international attention after India hosted the inaugural Kho-Kho World Cup. The government has been actively pushing to take the sport to the 2026 Asian Games and ultimately the 2036 Olympics, making CWG 2030 a vital stepping stone.
A breathtaking traditional Indian gymnastic discipline performed on a vertical wooden pole or rope, Mallakhamb has been showcased at national events including the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026. Its visual spectacle makes it a natural fit for a global audience.
With Yoga's global popularity reaching an all-time high, Yogasana as a competitive sport could attract massive international participation. India has been building the competitive Yogasana framework and is keen to debut it on the biggest possible stage.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will be a deliberately scaled-down edition, featuring only 10 disciplines to manage costs. Shooting, Wrestling, Badminton, and Hockey were all dropped — sports where India wins the bulk of its medals.
Ahmedabad 2030 is being positioned as the direct opposite: a return to a full-scale, ambitious, culturally rich Games befitting a Centenary celebration. India has the infrastructure budget, the government backing, and the sporting passion to deliver a 17-sport programme that rivals the biggest editions in Commonwealth Games history.
The contrast could not be starker — and for Indian athletes, the timing could not be better.
India finished 2nd overall with 101 medals — 38 Gold, 27 Silver, 36 Bronze — their best-ever haul.
India won 61 medals (22 Gold) despite Shooting being absent. With Shooting back in 2030, that number could climb significantly.
With Cricket, Hockey, Shooting, and potentially Kabaddi all in play, India's medal tally could comfortably surpass 100 on home soil.
In April 2026, a senior Commonwealth Sport delegation visited India to assess preparations firsthand. The delegation included Commonwealth Sport President Donald Rukare, CEO Katie Sadleir, and Director of Games and Assurance Darren Hall. They met Sports Minister Mandaviya and Sports Secretary Hari Rajan Rao over a three-day visit to Ahmedabad.
Reports indicate the delegation left with a strongly positive impression of India's planning scale, venue quality, and the breadth of the Khelo India Scheme — which has already engaged over 60,000 athletes from more than 30 states and Union Territories across the country.
The sports programme discussions during this visit are expected to shape the final announcement later in 2026, when the complete CWG 2030 lineup will be officially revealed.
The full sports programme for CWG 2030 is expected to be announced by late 2026. The final list will be a direct result of ongoing negotiations between India's sports ministry, the Indian Olympic Association, and Commonwealth Sport.
For Indian fans, the stakes are high. The inclusion of Kabaddi or Kho-Kho would be a watershed moment — not just for the 2030 Games, but for the global future of Indian indigenous sports. Combined with the return of Hockey, Cricket, and Shooting, Ahmedabad 2030 has every ingredient to deliver India's greatest-ever Commonwealth Games performance.
Stay tuned to indiacwg.com for the latest updates on the sports programme announcement as the Centenary Games take shape.