[Source: Commonwealth Games Federation] The Commonwealth Games Federation has invited its 74 Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) to lodge formal expressions of interest to host the centenary Games in 2030 and beyond.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) confirmed today the new collaborative host selection process for the centenary 2030 Commonwealth Games and beyond is now underway.

With Glasgow 2026 preparations progressing apace, the CGF is continuing the positive momentum by inviting its 74 Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) to lodge formal expressions of interest (EOIs) for 2030 and future editions of the Commonwealth Games.

The CGF’s 2023-2034 ‘Commonwealth United’ Strategic Plan, launched in June 2023, and ‘Games Reset’ allows a move away from the organisation’s traditional host bidding process, enabling it to be flexible in offering the opportunity to potential hosts to be innovative and work collaboratively through a co-creation process on proposals for delivering the Games, while ensuring that all CGAs can meaningfully participate.

The new approach will start with an initial co-creation and collaboration phase between the CGF and representatives of potential host countries or territories along with the respective CGA, followed by a CGF-led evaluation process and recommendation of a host, with the final appointment of the host ultimately decided by the CGF General Assembly.

The CGF has identified a set of principles forming the new framework to create a modern, flexible Games blueprint for the future, including:

- Host nations will have increased flexibility to shape the Games and ensure legacy benefit for local communities. The CGF, host CGA, and host Government and community will work together to co-create the event and associated legacy benefits and social return on investment.

- Hosting costs will be significantly reduced from historical Commonwealth Games costs to diversify the hosting pipeline and enable more, new countries and territories to host. This will be achieved through continued delivery optimisation and encouraging the use of existing venues for sport and accommodation, unless additional infrastructure is part of existing national development plans that will happen irrespective of a Games.

- The Games will allow for an innovative, inclusive, and exciting sports programme that aims to inspire and positively contribute to the lives of the people of the Commonwealth by showcasing and celebrating its athletes, delivering impactful sporting moments, bringing value and meaningful benefits to hosts, whilst being attractive to athletes and relevant for all CGAs, International Federations and wider stakeholders. The Games will maintain full commitment to providing a level playing field for Para and non-Para sport and supporting the Para athlete development pathway.

CGF President Chris Jenkins said, ‘’We have consulted extensively with Governments, our CGA members and other stakeholders to create a new framework for advancing the relevance of the Commonwealth Games by prioritising the five key pillars of sport, cultural, social, diplomatic and economic impact that underpin the purpose of the Commonwealth Sport Movement and impact of the Games. Building on this framework, we have identified the strong principles that will steer us in the creation of a modern, flexible Games blueprint for the future.

“Glasgow 2026 is set to act as a bridge to a bright future for the Commonwealth Games – an exciting first step in the CGF’s journey to reset and redefine the Games as a truly co-created, flexible and sustainable model for the future that inspires athletes, delivers tangible legacy benefits, minimises costs, reduces the environmental footprint, and enhances social impact,” said Jenkins.

CGF Director of Games and Assurance Darren Hall said, “With Glasgow 2026 fully operational, we start the New Year in a strong position, looking forward with confidence to the long-term future of the Commonwealth Games, and we are delighted to formally open our new collaborative host selection process for the centenary Games in 2030 and beyond.

“In addition to single city proposals, co-hosting within a country and across nations and territories will be actively encouraged to open up more hosting opportunities for more Commonwealth countries previously excluded from the ability to host,” said Hall.

The European Olympic Committees President Spyros Capralos had a positive conversation with the Mayor of Istanbul ahead of their General Assembly there, and said he would be honoured to give Istanbul the opportunity to bid for the Games.

Asked by The Sun journalist Rob Maul who the frontrunning cities are for the next edition in 2027, Capralos said “We are discussing with the National Olympic Committees who are interested. I cannot hide that we had a very pleasant conversation with Mayor of Istanbul. We are also in conversation with others."

Answering a question from Host City, Capralos confirmed that they were engaging with western European destinations, but there is a lack of interest from them in hosting the Games. “It takes two to tango. You can't force them if they don't want to do it," he said. "But if we don't have a candidate from western or northern countries it doesn’t mean that it is not a success."

He cited the success of the 2023 European Games in Poland in inspiring the nation to bid for the Olympic Games, and mentioned that Deloitte will present a study on the financial impact of this edition.

Hasan Arat, Vice President of the Turkish National Olympic Committee and Member of the EOC Executive Committee led Istanbul’s bid for the 2020 Olympic Games. “Look at what has happened here over the last 20 years: the sports and city infrastructure is great; we have everything,” he said. “It is depending on the political leaders to decide if they want to do it. It is a great place to host such an event. This is important for my country and my people.”

Capralos highlighted that Games can be hosted without spending a lot of money. “There is no need to spend money on new facilities. If you (Istanbul) decide to go ahead we'd be honoured to give you this opportunity.”

He also revealed that the European Games could be hosted by more than one nation, citing the example of the European Olympic Festival in January, which was hosted by Italy but with some events taking place in Slovenia. “We do not object and we will be happy to see more countries working together,” he said.

The 2027 European Games will be the fourth edition, following three editions in the east of Europe. The multi-sport European Championships was successfully launched in Glasgow in 2018 followed by Munich 2022, with the host selection process underway for 2026.

“The European Games are not there to replace the European Championships,” said Capralos. They serve as the main event for qualifying athletes for the Olympic Games. It is a very important event, after the Olympic Games. We're not here to stop any other events.”

Other items on the EOC General Assembly agenda include governance improvements such launching the process of appointing a CEO.

Capralos also explained why Russian athletes were not allowed to compete in the 2023 Games, despite the fact that the IOC has paved the way for Russian athletes to participate in Paris 2024. “The decision was made after consulting with government of Poland. It was done for the safety of the athletes, as we could not guarantee the safety of athletes from Russia. We will continue following the IOC recommendations.”

The Commonwealth Games Federation has described a proposal from Commonwealth Games India (CGI) to host a Commonwealth shooting event and potentially an archery event in India during 2022 as “innovative” that could set “manageable precedents”.

“The proposal will be reviewed and considered in January and February by the CGF and discussed with Birmingham 2022 Delivery Partners,” said David Grevemberg CBE, CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation in a statement issued to media including Host City.

The UK city of Birmingham is hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

“Key aspects of this assessment will be to ensure that the proposal conforms with our rules and regulations, is operationally deliverable, sets manageable precedents for the Commonwealth Games and ultimately adds value to athletes and the Commonwealth Sports Movement," said Grevemberg.

“We would like to thank the CGI, the NRAI, the Government of India and the entire sporting community of India for their leadership and significant efforts taken to submit an innovative proposal with the ambition of strengthening Commonwealth Sport.”

The CGF also said the proposal is supported by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the Government of India, the International Shooting Sport Federation and World Archery.

Tom Dielen, Secretary General of World Archery expressed his support in a letter, shared with Host City, to Dr. Nalinder Batra, President of the lndian Olympic Association and President of Commonwealth Games India.

“World Archery is giving its full support to this proposal to have an Archery competition in India as part of the Commonwealth Games friendship programme,” Dielen wrote.

A CGF source told Host City that the “Commonwealth Games friendship programme” referenced by World Archery is not an official term but a working title for India’s proposal.Dielen also suggested “adding the mixed team events which will also feature in Tokyo 2020”.

“World Archery would recognise the event for World Records as well as enter it on the World Ranking. We will promote the event among our member associations and provide the necessary technical assistance.”

The Archery Association of India (AAI) is currently excluded from world sport over governance issues.

“We are currently facing some issues with the Indian Archery Association but these should be resolved during the coming months and we will work with the newly elected President to make this event a success,” Dielen wrote. 

“In the meantime, we will continue the dialogue with the Commonwealth Games Federation to include Archery in the programme of Commonwealth Games.”

The CGF also confirmed to Host City that the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) have fully backed the proposal and would recognise and ratify the potential shooting event, if held.

Shooting, which is an optional sport for host cities, was dropped from the Games by Birmingham 2022 in 2018 and Archery followed suit in 2019.

India had threatened to boycott the Birmingham 2022 Olympic Games over the exclusion of shooting. But on 30 December 2020, India’s participation was confirmed in a statement by CGF President Dame Louise Martin DBE.

"Following a useful and constructive CGF visit to India in November, we felt confident and reassured that the athletes and sports community of India places huge value and importance on the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Sport Movement,” she said.

"We are delighted that India have expressed an ambition to host another Commonwealth Games in the future."