Gandhinagar: Gujarat, long known for its trade and enterprise, is now poised to make its mark on the global sporting stage. In the coming years, the heritage city of Ahmedabad will host prestigious international sporting events. In 2025 alone, three major competitions—the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship, the Asian Aquatics Championship, and the AFC Under-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers—will bring elite athletes from around the world to the city.

Ahmedabad to host various international games, 3 events in 2025

The Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship 2025 will be held at the Naranpura Sports Complex in Ahmedabad from August 24 to 30. More than 350 players from 29 countries will participate in this championship. This will be followed by the Asian Aquatics Championship 2025 in September-October, featuring swimmers from countries such as China, Japan, and Korea. Notably, India is one of the seven host nations for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers, scheduled from November 22 to 30, 2025. All matches in India will take place at The Arena by TransStadia in Ahmedabad. The Group D qualifiers in Ahmedabad will feature India, Iran, Palestine, Chinese Taipei, and Lebanon.

Gujarat to host World Police and Fire Games in 2029

In 2026, Ahmedabad will also host the Asian Weightlifting Championship and the Archery Asia Para Cup – World Ranking Tournament. Additionally, India has secured the bid to host the World Police and Fire Games 2029, which will be held in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Ekta Nagar (Kevadia). Recently, India’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games was approved by the Indian Olympic Association, with Ahmedabad pitched as the host city. These events are set to play a crucial role in establishing Gujarat as a multi-sport high-performance destination.

Additionally, the state’s new Sports Policy 2022-27 has boosted the morale of Gujarat’s athletes. With modern sports complexes and advanced facilities, Gujarat has positioned itself as a capable host for international-level competitions.