New Delhi: The 2030 Commonwealth Games in India are expected to include roughly 17 sports, with Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare saying the complete list of events will be locked in by mid-2027. Speaking on Friday, Rukare indicated that organisers are working toward a “full board” of about 16 to 17 disciplines and that a definitive picture—covering both the sports and the start dates—should be available by the end of the first half of 2027. He added that the approach would also shape future Commonwealth Games editions.
What Rukare said about the 2030 programme
- Rukare stated that the final event roster for the 2030 Games will be confirmed by mid-2027.
- He said organisers aim to announce a complete slate of approximately 16 to 17 sport programmes for the India edition.
- He noted that by the end of the first half of 2027, officials should be able to provide clarity on which sports will be included and where the Games will begin.
- He further said the plan will be carried forward for future Commonwealth Games as well.
The discussion also pointed to a potential return of disciplines that were left out in earlier editions but continue to hold strong emotional significance for India. For Ahmedabad, the host city’s organisers have been working toward a full roster that includes events removed from the Birmingham 2022 programme and not scheduled for the Glasgow edition later this year.
Sports dropped in Birmingham 2022 and Glasgow 2026
Rukare referenced how, in the 2022 edition, shooting and archery were removed from the Commonwealth Games schedule. He also highlighted that Glasgow will not feature nine major sports, including badminton, cricket, hockey, shooting, squash, table tennis, and wrestling, among others.
Possible additions and India’s sports priorities
Among the disciplines considered for inclusion are men’s and women’s cricket in the T20 format, along with hockey. Both have been cited as part of the wider review of the “core team sports” category—where two of the three sports under consideration are expected to come from those high-profile formats, reflecting their popularity and commercial pull. Rukare also said yogasana is being proposed as a medal event within the traditional sports segment.
Rukare stressed that India’s ability to host a wide-ranging multi-sport programme is a key factor in shaping the 2030 plan. He said once consultations are completed with the IOA, international federations, and the host organisers—and once officials assess what is available—the aim is to produce a lively, responsive schedule. In his view, the programme should serve an important constituency within India and also cater to the Games’ presence across 74 territories.
