India Hosted 36 International Sports Events in Two Years; 29 More Scheduled Till 2028: Sports Minister Mandaviya

July 9, 2026

New Delhi: India has hosted 36 international sporting events across more than 15 cities between January 2025 and June 2026, with at least 29 more competitions scheduled through 2028, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Thursday.

The minister said hosting major international tournaments has become a key pillar of India’s sporting ecosystem, helping the country strengthen its preparations to host the Commonwealth Games 2030 while supporting its bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2036.

India Expanding Its Global Sporting Footprint   

According to the Sports Ministry, cities including New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Pune, Lucknow, Rajgir, Patna and Mahabalipuram have hosted international competitions across Olympic and non-Olympic disciplines.

The events included World Championships, Asian Championships, World Cups, international ranking tournaments and continental qualifiers in sports such as athletics, hockey, badminton, shooting, boxing, football, table tennis, aquatics, chess, cycling, fencing, rugby, surfing, volleyball and para sports.

Several of these tournaments were hosted in India for the first time, while Indian athletes also delivered record-breaking performances on home soil.

Focus on CWG 2030 and Olympic 2036 Bid

Mandaviya said hosting international competitions enhances India’s global sporting reputation while giving Indian athletes valuable exposure without the cost of competing abroad. He added that such events also help develop sports infrastructure, improve technical expertise among officials and volunteers, and strengthen event management capabilities.

“As we prepare to host the Commonwealth Games 2030 and bid for the Olympic Games 2036, the experience gained from organising events across multiple cities will further strengthen our capabilities,” the minister said.

29 More Events Planned Till 2028

The Sports Ministry said 11 international competitions are scheduled between July and December 2026, including the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships, World Snooker Championships, Para Archery Asia Cup, World Surf League events, Asian Junior Chess Championships and international badminton, football and rugby tournaments.

India has also secured hosting rights for 19 major international competitions during 2027 and 2028, including the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2028 in Bhubaneswar, the ISSF World Cup, the Asian Shooting Championships, the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships and the FIH Pro League home leg.

The ministry added that several National Sports Federations are pursuing bids for more continental and world championships, reflecting India’s growing stature as a global sporting destination.