The 2026 Commonwealth Games concluded with a grand closing ceremony at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on Sunday, as the host city formally handed over the Commonwealth Games flag to India ahead of the centenary edition of the Games in Ahmedabad in 2030.
The symbolic transfer of the Games flag to Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi marked the official beginning of India’s preparations to host the 100th edition of the Commonwealth Games. India will become only the second nation after Australia to host the Games twice.
The ceremony opened with a celebration of Scottish culture, featuring performances by internationally acclaimed rock band Simple Minds, dance troupe Diversity and other local artists, bringing the 11-day sporting event to a close.
Following the formal handover, India presented an 18-minute-and-27-second cultural showcase highlighting the country’s heritage, sporting legacy and vision for Ahmedabad 2030.
The presentation opened with a voice-over declaring, “India, where sport is a way of life,” before unfolding across four segments. The first segment commemorated the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram under the theme Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World is One Family), reflecting India’s message of peace, unity and inclusivity.
The second segment featured a specially produced film tracing India’s Commonwealth Games journey and showcasing its achievements on the international sporting stage. This was followed by a musical collaboration between Indian musician Rishab Sharma and Scottish artist Ross Ainslie, symbolising the transition of the Games from Glasgow to Ahmedabad through a fusion of Indian and Scottish musical traditions.
The finale featured performances by Shankar Mahadevan, Rishab Sharma and Bhoomi Trivedi, accompanied by visuals and choreography celebrating India’s cultural diversity. The performances drew enthusiastic applause from spectators, with Indian supporters waving the Tricolour as songs including Vande Mataram, Shiv Strot and Suno Gaur Se Duniya Walo echoed across the arena.
The traditional Parade of Athletes also featured a proud moment for India, with Commonwealth boxing champion Jaismine Lamboria carrying the Indian flag as athletes from all 74 Commonwealth nations and territories participated in the march celebrating friendship, unity and sporting excellence.
The closing ceremony offered the international sporting community its first official preview of Ahmedabad’s plans for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, setting the stage for the landmark centenary edition of the event.
(With inputs from IANS)
