Event Bidding - Host City

Ahmedabad confirmed as hosts for 2030 Commonwealth Games

The decision confirms that the world’s most populous nation will stage the landmark edition of the Games, after delegates of the 74 Commonwealth member nations and territories ratified India’s bid at today’s Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow.

India presented a compelling vision for the 2030 Games, centred in the Gujarat city of Amdavad (Ahmedabad), which will build on foundations laid by Glasgow 2026, enabling India to celebrate the centenary in style.

Moments after Amdavad was announced as hosts of the 2030 Commonwealth Games, 20 Garba dancers and 30 Indian dhol drummers burst into the General Assembly Hall, surprising delegates with a rich cultural performance that provided a taste of the heritage and pride that Athletes and fans can expect from a Games hosted in the Indian state of Gujarat.

Garba is a dance that originated in Gujarat and the performance featured members of Glasgow’s Indian community, and those from other parts of the Commonwealth, in a show of both diversity and unity across the Movement to start the journey from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games to the Centenary edition.

The first Commonwealth Games were held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada. Australia topped the medal table at the most recent Games, staged in Birmingham, England, in 2022, with the rest of the top five made up of England, Canada, India and New Zealand.

 

Dr Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport said: "This is the start of a new golden era for Commonwealth Sport. After a 'Games reset' we head to Glasgow 2026 in fantastic shape to welcome the 74 teams of the Commonwealth before setting our sights on Amdavad 2030 for a special Centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games.

“India brings scale, youth, ambition, rich culture, enormous sporting passion and relevance, and I'm delighted to report strong interest from a range of nations to host the 2034 Games and beyond. We start our next century for the Commonwealth Games in good health."

 

Dr, PT Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India said: “We are deeply honoured by the trust shown by Commonwealth Sport. The 2030 Games will not only celebrate a hundred years of the Commonwealth Movement but also lay the foundation for the next century. It will bring together Athletes, communities, and cultures from across the Commonwealth in a spirit of friendship and progress.”

 

The Sports Programme

 

In addition to confirming the hosts for 2030, Commonwealth Sport also confirmed that 15 – 17 sports will feature at Amdavad 2030.

The Amdavad 2030 team will work closely with Commonwealth Sport and the International Federation community to shape a dynamic and exciting sport programme with strong local resonance and global appeal.

This will follow Commonwealth Sport’s recently concluded Sport Programme Review which outlines the sports which will feature at the Commonwealth Games: Athletics and Para Athletics, Swimming and Para Swimming, Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis, Bowls and Para Bowls, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, Artistic Gymnastics, Netball and Boxing.

The process to finalise the remainder of the programme will start next month, and the full Centenary Games line-up will be announced next year.

The sports under consideration are: Archery, Badminton, 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cricket T20, Cycling, Diving, Hockey, Judo, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Rugby Sevens, Shooting, Squash, Triathlon and Para Triathlon and Wrestling.

The host can also propose up to two new or traditional sports.

 

Duncan Scott, multiple Commonwealth Champion swimmer, said: “The Commonwealth Games are a special part of my career. Taking part in a home Games is incredible, so I’m excited for Indian Athletes who’ll get to do that in 2030. And for everyone else we’ve got an opportunity to expand our horizons and experience the ambition and colour of Amdavad and India. I loved the chance to compete in the Gold Coast in Australia as part of a travelling Team Scotland.

“We look forward to handing over the Games to Amdavad in great shape after welcoming all to Glasgow next year.”

 

Jaismine Lamboria, World Champion boxer from India, said: “It truly is a proud moment to see India become the host of the Centenary Commonwealth Games. Amdavad will give Athletes and fans a very warm and vibrant welcome, and having the opportunity to compete on home soil in 2030 will be a huge motivation for me and for many others. I’m excited for the next decade for Indian sport.”

Munich receives public boost for Olympic Games ambition

Residents of Munich have backed the city's bid to host the Olympic Games by two thirds, giving the green light to bring the Summer Games to Bavaria in 2036, 2040 or 2044.

A referendum found 66.4 percent of voters supported the measure, which means the city remains in the fight to become the chosen host city of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), who look set to bid for the 2036 event. Capital city Berlin is also in contention, alongside Hamburg and the Rhine-Ruhr region - which hosted the 2025 FISU Summer World University Games.

Hamburg and Rhine-Ruhr are expected to follow Munich in hosting local referendums, while Berlin has no plans to do so. Berlin's bid also survived a potential collapse when the city's Sports Minister, Iris Spranger, kept her position following a no-confidence vote in the House of Representatives. This was motioned by the Green Party and The Left, two of the major political parties on the centre-left and left respectively. Spranger, representing the centre-left Social Democratic Party, remains in place after being supported by her party and their coalition partners, the conservative Christian Democratic Union. This vote took place after concerns over correct procedures related to transparency over public funds.

Hamburg had aimed to bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics, which went to Paris, but a referendum found 51.6 percent of the population rejected the proposal.

Munich's referendum was the highest of its kind compared to other sporting questions. 42 percent of the eligible electorate participated, a higher turnout than the previous turnout record of 37.5 percent for the referendum held in 2001 to approve the construction of the Allianz Arena, the future home of football club Bayern Munich.

Munich Mayor, Dieter Reiter, expressed his delight following the result stating: "This result is far more than a yes to the Olympics. It is a yes to bold, sustainable, and inclusive urban development."

In 2013, the city's residents rejected a proposed bid for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games - which would have made it the first city to host the Summer and Winter editions. This was instead won by Beijing, who became the first city to host both.

2036 would be a notable landmark for a German bid - coming 100 years after the Berlin 1936 Olympic Games, which is considered to be a shameful mark in sporting history, hosted under the regime of Nazi Germany. For the Bavarian city, it will also be an opportunity to revisit their past and have a second chance. The Munich 1972 Games are remembered for the kidnapping and murder of 11 Israeli Olympic team members and one police officer by the militant organisation Black September. The decision for the Games to continue afterwards remains controversial today.

While Germany is expected to bid for the 2036 Olympic Games, an official bid will not be launched until the DOSB confirm its candidate city in late 2026. Ahmedabad, India, is the latest city to bid for the event, joining Qatar's capital city Doha, Turkish city Istanbul and Santiago, the capital city of Chile.

The five factors behind successful mega-event bids

WePlan supported the Milano Cortina 2026 Bid Committee throughout the candidacy process, successfully establishing Italy at the host nation

[Source: WePlan] As the world prepares to mark 100 days to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, a new study highlights the recurring factors that determine the outcome of major-event candidatures.

Based on lessons from Expo 2030 Riyadh and Milano Cortina 2026, the analysis points to five decisive elements in winning bids: governance clarity, narrative coherence, stakeholder unity, operational viability, and alignment with long-term development plans.

The findings are set out in the first edition of the WePlan Knowledge Paper series, a collection of publications that will explore different phases in the lifecycle of mega-events.

A key feature of this first paper is the USP Positioning Framework, a methodology designed to help bidders identify and validate their true differentiators. The framework addresses a common weakness in candidatures: the tendency to present local strengths as unique without testing them against the priorities of rights-holders or the positioning of competitors.

“Candidatures are no longer judged only on ambition or technical capacity. They are evaluated on credibility, sustainability, and alignment with wider strategies,” said Roberto Daneo, co-founder of WePlan. “With this Knowledge Paper we want to contribute to a more disciplined, transparent, and legacy-oriented approach to winning bids.”

Giorgio Re, co-founder of WePlan, added: “Expo 2030 Riyadh and Milano Cortina 2026 provide valuable examples of how vision and delivery capacity can come together. Our Knowledge Paper series is designed to make these lessons available to future bidders and stakeholders.”

 

About the Knowledge Paper series

The WePlan Knowledge Paper series will cover the full lifecycle of mega-events in four publications:

  1. Winning Mega-Event Candidatures (October 2025)
  2. Transition and Early Stage Planning (January 2026)
  3. Operational Readiness (April 2026)
  4. Event-time and Dissolution (July 2026)

Each edition will draw on WePlan’s experience across multiple international projects and propose structured tools to support cities, regions, and organisers in managing the complexity of world-scale events.

The first Knowledge Paper is available for free download on https://www.we-plan.eu/knowledge-papers.

Ahmedabad one step closer to becoming host of 2030 Commonwealth Games

Just last month, India and Nigeria submitted formal proposals to host the centenary edition of the Games, and six weeks later, it looks set to go in the direction of the most-populous country in the world.

Confirming Ahmedabad, also known as Amdavad, as the 2030 host city now relies on a vote, set to take place at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26 2025.

The Scottish city will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games as a late replacement for the Australian state of Victoria, who withdrew as host in 2023. In December, it will host the twelfth edition of Host City.

The recommendation to award the Games to India comes after a “detailed process” from the Commonwealth Sport Evaluation Committee, which assessed candidate cities’ capabilities in areas such as technical delivery, athlete experience, infrastructure, governance and “alignment with Commonwealth Sport values” based on the “Games Reset” principles outlined by the organisation.

Commonwealth Sport added that both Ahmedabad and the Nigerian capital Abuja submitted “compelling proposals” in their bids. Despite missing out, there is a glimmer of hope for Nigeria. The Commonwealth Sport Executive Board agreed to develop a strategy that would support the country’s ambition to host a future Commonwealth Games, including in 2034.

 

Dr. Donald Rukare, Interim President of Commonwealth Sport, said: “We are grateful to both India and Nigeria for the vision and commitment they have shown in developing proposals to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Both proposals were inspiring, reflecting the scale of opportunity within our Commonwealth family.

“The Executive Board has carefully considered the Evaluation Committee’s findings and is recommending Amdavad to our membership. This is a significant milestone for the Movement as we look to our Centenary Games, and we now look ahead to the General Assembly in Glasgow where our members will make the final decision.

“The Board were impressed with the vision and ambition of Nigeria’s proposal and were united in our commitment to continue working with their team to explore future hosting opportunities. This decision reflects our determination to take the Commonwealth Games to the African continent.”

 

Dr. P T Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, said: “It would be an extraordinary honour for India to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in Amdavad. The Games would not only showcase India’s world-class sporting and event capabilities, but also play a meaningful role in our national journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

“We see the 2030 Games as a powerful opportunity to inspire our youth, strengthen international partnerships and contribute to a shared future across the Commonwealth.”

 

Viksit Bharat 2047 is a vision project from the Indian Government to make the country a developed nation by the centenary anniversary of India’s independence. India previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in Delhi. The awarding of the 2030 Commonwealth Games fares well for India’s ambitions to host a future edition of the Olympic Games.

An African nation has never hosted the Commonwealth Games. South Africa has twice been awarded, but would not go on to host. Johannesburg was the original host city for the 1934 edition, but this was moved to London due to concerns over the treatment of non-white athletes. Durban has awarded the 2022 event, but was stripped due to financial constraints. Birmingham was instead awarded hosting rights.

Harare, Zimbabwe, then known as Salisbury as part of the colonial federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, submitted a bid for the 1966 Games, while Nigeria has been unsuccessful on three attempts – Lagos in 1982 and Abuja in both 2014 and 2030.

The multi-sport event first took place in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada, and was formerly known as the British Empire Games, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games and British Commonwealth Games until adopting its current name for the 1978 edition in Edmonton.

Three nations bid for 2029 Islamic Solidarity Games

[Source: ISSA] The Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA) will conduct a series of on-site inspection visits to Uzbekistan, Malaysia and Iran, following the official submission of their bids to host the 2029 Islamic Solidarity Games.

The visits represent a key milestone in the continued development of the Islamic Solidarity Games, as ISSA works to strengthen the event’s future and expand opportunities for countries to host major multi-sport events.

They also come as the countdown continues to the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games – Riyadh 2025, which will bring together athletes from 57 countries in a celebration of sport, unity and shared values.

ISSA Secretary General Nasser Majali welcomed the strong interest from the candidate countries, noting that it reflects the growing stature of the Islamic Solidarity Games and their increasing role in advancing sport at both regional and international levels.

“It is extremely encouraging to see three passionate and capable countries come forward to host the next edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games,” said Majali.

“These inspection visits represent a key phase in the evaluation process to ensure the Games are delivered to the highest standards for our athletes and National Olympic Committees, in full partnership with the host country.

“They also reaffirm ISSA’s commitment to enabling more member countries to benefit from hosting major international sports events and contributing to the continued development of sport across all regions.”

Following an initial evaluation process, six member countries submitted formal letters of interest to ISSA to host the next edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games. After further discussions and assessments, Uzbekistan, Malaysia and Iran proceeded to submit their full hosting bids.

The inspection visits are being led by the ISSA Secretary General, accompanied by members of the ISSA Sport Commission, to review the candidate countries’ facilities, infrastructure and organizational plans ahead of the final hosting decision.

The Riyadh 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games will welcome around 3,500 athletes from 57 countries, competing across 23 sports from 7 to 21 November 2025, marking the event’s return to Saudi Arabia two decades after the inaugural edition in 2005.

Host of 2026 SportAccord Convention announced

The last SportAccord took place in Birmingham in 2024 (Photo: SportAccord)

[Source: SportAccord] SportAccord, the world’s leading sports business conference, today confirmed that the SportAccord Convention 2026 will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 24-28 May 2026, following the signing of the Host City Agreement.

This landmark agreement was signed today by SportAccord President Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Youth and Sport, and Baku City Circuit Operations Company.

The SportAccord Convention is a leading global platform that connects key decision-makers and experts from across the global sports industry – from International Federations, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), host cities, and rights holders – to discuss and shape the future of sport.

The Baku Convention Center will serve as the hub for cutting-edge panel debates, meetings, exhibitions and networking, while the iconic Heydar Aliyev Center by Zaha Hadid will host the Opening Ceremony, blending Baku’s modern architecture with its rich cultural heritage.

SportAccord President Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener commented: “We are thrilled to bring the 19th edition of the world’s most important gathering of sports leaders, the SportAccord Convention, to Baku in 2026.

“Baku has a very strong track record in delivering world-class events, and this will be a significant moment both for SportAccord and the entire global sports industry.

“We are excited to work with our partners from the Ministry of Youth and Sport, and Baku City Circuit Operations Company, to deliver a truly exceptional event.

“Delegates can expect world-class facilities, the warmth of Azerbaijani hospitality, and an environment that fosters new connections and meaningful opportunities for the future of sport.”

The next edition provides a timely opportunity to gather the global sports industry, following the Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, at a time when new leadership in the Olympic Movement and shifting priorities are defining the opportunities and challenges facing the future of sport.

Baku is a city which lives and breathes sport, and its renowned expertise in hosting international gatherings provides a perfect setting for the latest chapter in SportAccord’s illustrious history. Its role as Host City is further underlined by its designation as World Capital of Sport 2026 by ACES Europe, recognising its achievements in staging international competitions and investing in modern infrastructure.

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports, H.E. Farid Gayibov said: “Azerbaijani sports have always been supported with great care and attention by our state leader, His Excellency Ilham Aliyev. Our nation’s sports achievements and our ability to host international events are a direct result of this commitment. Hosting the SportAccord Convention is a fantastic opportunity to further showcase our capabilities and to contribute to the global conversation that will shape the future of our industry. We are incredibly excited to collaborate with SportAccord and are committed to handling this event with great care and responsibility to make it a truly memorable experience for all.”

The vibrant capital of Azerbaijan is situated on the Caspian Sea, and enjoys a rich history fused with striking modern architecture which comprises its impressive cityscape. Baku proudly hosted the inaugural European Games in 2015, and has staged World Championships and European Championships across multiple sports, along with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Formula One since 2017.

Its unwavering commitment to the future of sport was further underlined by the UNESCO Global Sports Conference – MINEPS VII in Baku in June 2023, while in November 2024 global leaders gathered for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in the city.

The 2026 SportAccord Convention in Baku promises to stand at the centre of the global conversation on sport, driving the connections and ideas that will define its future.

Further details, including the Convention’s theme, programme highlights, and registration launch, will be announced in the coming months.

SportAccord continues to engage in productive discussions with other interested host cities for future editions of the SportAccord Convention.

SportAccord President Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener is speaking at Host City 2025 in Glasgow on 1-3 December. Host City is a longstanding media partner of SportAccord

India and Nigeria bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games

[Source: Commonwealth Sport] India and Nigeria have submitted formal proposals to host the 2030 centenary Commonwealth Games by the deadline of 31 August 2025. This follows unprecedented, diverse and wide-ranging Expressions of Interest in hosting the Games in 2030 and beyond.

Commonwealth Sport (CS) President Dr Donald Rukare said: “We are delighted to confirm that India and Nigeria have submitted exciting formal proposals to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030. This positive response from two sporting powerhouse nations of the Commonwealth demonstrates the continued significance and legacy potential of the Commonwealth Games and the strength and appeal of our reimagined, sustainable Games model.

“I would like to thank the Commonwealth Games Associations (CGA) of India and Nigeria and their respective Governments for the dynamic and ambitious spirit in which they have engaged in the collaborative dialogue phase. The Commonwealth Sport team has been inspired by the National Sports Policies presented and excited about how the Games can advance national ambitions and create legacy benefits for local communities.

“The 2030 Evaluation Commission now has the important and difficult task of reviewing and evaluating the proposals and recommending a host to the Executive Board and ultimately, the 74 nation and territory members of the Commonwealth Sport Movement.”

Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadleir CNZM said: “We have made significant progress over the last 12 months, securing Glasgow as host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and announcing Malta as host of the next Commonwealth Youth Games in 2027. I would like to thank all of the member countries who participated in the Expression of Interest process, and of course, to credit Glasgow and Scotland for setting a truly collaborative, flexible and pioneering example with their 2026 model, which is inspiring new, diverse countries to consider hosting the Games in the decades ahead.

“Today’s announcement also sends a strong signal to our athlete community that the Commonwealth Games remains a major milestone in the global sporting calendar and will continue to be an event that attracts the very best athletes.”

Both proposals will now be assessed by an Evaluation Commission appointed by the CS Executive Board, including in-person presentations by the Candidate Hosts at a meeting in London in late September 2025. The Evaluation Commission will report its findings to the CS Executive Board, which will recommend a host to the 74 member nations and territories for approval at the General Assembly in late November 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland.

The Evaluation Commission is chaired by CS Vice President Sandra Osborne KC, who also serves as the Federation’s Sports Committee Chair and President of the Barbados Commonwealth Games Association and Olympic Committee. Joining Sandra Osborne on the Commission are:

  • Helen Phillips MBE, CS Executive Board Member and Regional Vice President for Europe
  • Brendan Williams, CS Athletes’ Advisory Commission Chair
  • Ian Reid CBE, Vice Chair, Glasgow 2026 Organising Company and Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland
  • Andrew Ryan MBE, former Executive Director, Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF)
  • Darren Hall, CS Director of Games & Assurance (non-voting)

CS launched a new collaborative host selection process for the Commonwealth Games in January this year, inviting its CGA members to lodge their interest for 2030 and future editions of the Commonwealth Games, with a deadline of the end of March. Following this initial phase, CS worked closely with each interested CGA and their regional representatives to assess hosting feasibility and support the development of detailed proposals. CS extends its sincere thanks to all who participated in these discussions and, in particular, to Commonwealth Sport Canada for its dedication and hard work. While it has decided to postpone its ambitions for hosting to a future Games, its contribution to the process is deeply appreciated.

The CS 2023-2034 ‘Commonwealth United’ Strategic Plan, launched in June 2023, and ‘Games Reset’ allow a move away from a traditional host bidding process. They enable flexibility, offering potential hosts the opportunity to be innovative and work collaboratively through a co-creation process on proposals for delivering the Games, while ensuring that all CS members can meaningfully participate.

The World Police and Fire Games: evolving through hosting

Photo credit: World Police and Fire Games

Host City: For readers who may not be familiar with the World Police & Fire Games, can you summarize the size and scope of the event – how many sports, venues, participating countries and spectators?

James King: The World Police and Fire Games is a multi-sport, Olympic-style event held specifically for the World’s first responders and public safety. The Games are biennial and began in 1985 in San Jose, California. Birmingham, Alabama was our 21st edition of the Games. The public safety participants hail from over 70 countries, and numbered 8500, to 10,000 plus athletes. The typical offering of sports is 65, with events ranging from the typical Olympic sports such as track and field and swimming to industry specific events such as the Ultimate Firefighter, the full gear stair race, police motorcycle rodeo, and the police service dogs. All events are free to the public and are available during the entire 9-10 days of the Games.

 

Host City: How was your experience of Birmingham AL as a host? Were there any learnings or legacies of their recent hosting of the World Games that were helpful to your event?

James King: We always learn a great deal from our various hosts and their respective experiences. The World Police and Fire Games have been in a “post covid” period, but our international participant numbers were actually very strong this edition, especially from Brazil and India.

We also learned that you don’t have to be close to the beach to create a great experience, with many competitors stating that the Beach Volleyball competition was one of the best ever. We heard similar remarks about cycling, which was held at Barber motorsports park. We also reinforced our standards by confirming that strategies such as venue clustering always work.

The 21st edition of the WPFG provided many great results in the touch points with our athletes; the “athlete experience” was generally well received.

 

Host City: What benefits has the Games brought to Birmingham?

James King: Obviously, a key marker is economic impact. I heard personally how happy many restaurant owners and operators were with the number of athlete visitors who dined at the local restaurants. Hotels were also happy with the number of athletes, friends and family members who stayed at their hotels. Typically, US$65,000.00 is a good starting point for the return on investment in hosting the Games. I am sure Birmingham experienced this type of return.

 

Host City: The next two Games are going to very different destinations. How might hosting the World Police & Fire Games support Ahmedabad’s bid for the Olympics?

James King: Our 2027 WPFG will be held in Perth, Western Australia. The 2029 Games will be held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It is fair to say that both destinations are quite different from the United States, let alone the deep south of Alabama. However, they share a common thing in that they all have very hospitable and friendly people. I am excited for our athletes and the experiences that lay ahead.

As for Ahmedabad and how hosting the WPFG may support their bid for hosting the Olympics, the World Police and Fire Games offer the opportunity to rehearse operations and evaluate venues on a very large scale, at a greatly reduced price. The 65 sports offered by the WPFG are held to the highest international governing body standards. This includes the venues, officiating, and other critical components of conducting a major international multi-sport event.

 

Host City: How important is it for you as a rightsholder to learn from and engage with other types of major events around the world?

James King: We offer our athletes an incredible experience, one which I am very proud of. With that said, we are not perfect. We take lessons from all our experiences, both good and bad. One of the best attributes of our Games is that our athletes can network with like individuals from around the globe. The commonalities are uncanny between public safety, be it law enforcement or firefighting. The same is true for event organizers in the sports world. If you are not learning, you are not growing, which means you won’t be around for long.

 

Why should cities want to bid to host an event like the World Police & Fire Games?

James King: Easy. The World Police and Fire Games showcases the “human element” of public safety and first responders by honoring them on a global stage. We thank those people who serve people. These folks risk their lives daily in the communities that they serve. We provide an outlet for improving both physical and mental health of first responders. The local public safety personnel will experience long-term benefits from the notoriety received from hosting the Games. It is a shot in the arm for essential services.

Additionally, the economic benefits are huge considering the ROI could be many times the initial investment. Our customer athletes pay their own way, eat at local restaurants, stay in hotels, and support the local economy in many ways. It is an equation that has been paying off for the past 40 years.

World Police & Fire Games to make India debut in Ahmedabad, 2029

[Source: CPAF] Ahmedabad, one of India’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas and a cultural hub in Gujarat, was chosen after a competitive bidding process that included the finalist Hanoi, Vietnam. This is the first time India will host the WPFG, continuing the Games’ tradition of global inclusion and international camaraderie among first responders.

“It is indeed a great honour and responsibility for Ahmedabad to be announced as the host city for 2029 WPFG,” said Vivek Srivastava, Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defense & Home Guards. “As highlighted in our bid document and presentation, we are committed to hosting an athlete-friendly, digitally enabled, and environmentally sustainable Games for the brave first responders of the world. In addition to world-class venues and infrastructure, we are confident of delivering competitive yet welcoming Games where athletes from around the world will experience our wonderful culture, heritage, growth, and hospitality.”

Ahmedabad joins a prestigious roster of global host cities and will follow Perth, Australia, which is set to host the 2027 World Police & Fire Games. This announcement follows the culmination of the Birmingham Games, which ran from June 27 to July 6, welcoming over 8,500 attendees from more than 70 countries.  Competitors participated in 65 events across 35 venues, ranging from traditional sports like basketball and cycling to specialized first responder competitions, including the Toughest Competitor Alive, Police Action Pistol, Ultimate Firefighter, and Firefighter Challenge.

Founded in 1985, the World Police and Fire Games are a biennial event that strives to promote physical fitness and camaraderie among first responders globally. The event is organized by the California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF) and has grown to become one of the largest athletic events in the world. 

The CPAF is also the governing body for the United States Police & Fire Championships and the First Responders Relay. The mission of CPAF is to promote sport and physical fitness among personnel representing law enforcement, fire, corrections, probation, border protection, immigration, and customs.

“With Ahmedabad selected for 2029 and Perth already in place for 2027, we’re excited to see the spirit of these Games continue to thrive on a global scale,” said James King, President of CPAF. “Ahmedabad impressed us with its vision, commitment to sustainability, and passion for delivering an exceptional athlete experience. We’re excited to see the Games head to India for the first time and confident the city will deliver a world-class experience for first responders from across the globe.”

As the newest member of the WPFG legacy, Ahmedabad’s hosting will continue the mission of celebrating the strength, skill, and service of first responders from around the world.

Founded in 1985, the World Police & Fire Games are held biennially and are open to active and retired law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responder personnel from around the globe. More information on future Games, athlete eligibility, and participation can be found at www.cpaf.org.

Mongolia to host FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2027

[Source: FIBA] FIBA today announced that Mongolia will host the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2027, from March 31 to April 4, in the heart of the capital, Ulaanbaatar, where the rise of 3x3 basketball shows no signs of slowing down.

Mongolia’s hosting of Asia’s biggest 3x3 event follows a recent landmark moment for Mongolian basketball, with more than 50,000 passionate fans turning up in Sukhbaatar Square for an unforgettable FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2025. The Mongolian women’s team thrilled local supporters with a remarkable run to the final, earning nationwide praise and recognition. Days after the event, the team was received by the President of Mongolia, Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh, and awarded an honorary athlete distinction in honour of their achievement.

"Mongolia continues to prove itself as a true world-class hub for 3x3 basketball,” said FIBA 3x3 Managing Director Alex Sanchez. “The fans, the atmosphere, and the quality on the half-court make Mongolia the ideal host for the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2027. We are excited to return to Ulaanbaatar, ten years after Mongolia made history by staging the first-ever FIBA Asia Cup in 2017."

This latest announcement marks another milestone in Mongolia’s impressive journey as a leader in 3x3 basketball development in Asia. Mongolia has continued to strengthen its reputation as a trusted and passionate host of major international 3x3 events such as the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2019, the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2024, annual FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series stop and FIBA 3x3 World Tour. The recent FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2025 showcased once again Mongolia’s incredible passion for 3x3 basketball and its ability to deliver world-class urban sporting events.

About FIBA 3x3

Exciting, urban and innovative, 3x3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court.
It was played successfully for the first time in international competition at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and since then has benefited from the launch of a yearly professional circuit for men and women (World Tour and Women’s Series respectively) and national-team competitions. 3x3 made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
 

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