Commonwealth baton passes to Ahmedabad 2030 from Glasgow on Sunday

In this image received on July 31, 2026, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, fifth from left, with delegates during a roundtable discussion on strengthening India-Scotland sports collaboration, with a focus on the Commonwealth Games 2030 and promoting opportunities for women in sports, in Glasgow, Scotland.

The countdown to Ahmedabad 2030 will begin on Sunday as the Commonwealth Games flag and Host Baton are handed over to the city in Gujarat during the closing ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Games, marking the formal start of the journey towards the centenary edition of the sporting event.

The handover ceremony in Glasgow will provide the first global glimpse of Ahmedabad’s 2030 Games showcase, with a cultural presentation featuring India and Gujarat as the city prepares to host the Commonwealth Games for its 100th anniversary, the Gujarat government said in an official release on Saturday.

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi is attending the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and will be present during the closing ceremony, where Ahmedabad will officially take over as the next host city. The Commonwealth Games flag and Host Baton will be formally handed over to Ahmedabad, symbolising the transition of responsibility from Glasgow 2026 to Ahmedabad 2030.

The handover ceremony has been designed as a three-part cultural showcase. The opening segment will commemorate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, followed by a unique musical collaboration bringing together Indian classical music and Scottish tradition through a jugalbandi featuring sitar maestro Rishabh Rikhiram Sharma and Scottish piper Ross Ainslie.

The final segment will present a visual journey across India, with a special focus on Gujarat, showcasing the state’s cultural heritage and offering international audiences their first preview of Ahmedabad’s 2030 Games identity.

The 2030 Commonwealth Games will mark 100 years since the first edition of the event was held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930. Ahmedabad’s hosting of the centenary edition will place the city at the centre of one of the world’s largest multi-sport events.

The Commonwealth Games Baton Relay, one of the longest-running traditions of the event, will also feature prominently in the transition ceremony. The King’s Baton Relay carries a message from His Majesty King Charles III and travels across Commonwealth nations and territories ahead of the Games.

According to Commonwealth Sport, the 2030 relay will introduce a new feature, with each of the 74 Commonwealth nations and territories receiving its own baton. The customised batons will reflect the culture, heritage and creativity of each nation and territory.

Each baton will carry a portion of the King’s message and will be carried by individuals recognised for their contribution to society. The Baton Relay tradition was introduced at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff and has since become a symbol of unity and connection among Commonwealth communities.

Glasgow 2026 Chief Marketing and Ceremonies Officer Louisa Mahon said the handover represents more than a ceremonial tradition and will bring together the spirit of Scotland and India on a single stage through a fusion of music and cultural performances.

She said audiences in Glasgow would get their first glimpse of what awaits them at Ahmedabad 2030. Glasgow 2026 Director of Ceremonies Chanda Singh said the ceremony has been designed to showcase an India that is confident while remaining connected to its traditions. She added that Ahmedabad 2030 would mark the beginning of a new chapter as the Commonwealth Games enter their centenary year.

Published on August 1, 2026