Economic Impact of Hosting the Commonwealth Games on the GDP Growth of the Host Nation

The present study investigated the economic impact of hosting the Commonwealth Games on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of host nations. The analysis was based on authentic World Bank World Development Indicators (WDI), namely GDP (Current US$) and GDP Growth Rate (Annual %), for six Commonwealth Games editions hosted between 2002 and 2022. The study examined three host nations—United Kingdom, Australia, and India—through a comparative historical research design. GDP performance was analyzed for one year before the Games (T-1), the event year (T₀), and one year after the Games (T+1). Descriptive statistics, comparative analysis, and regression techniques were employed. Findings revealed that hosting the Commonwealth Games generally generated positive economic stimulus, although the magnitude and sustainability differed across nations. India recorded the highest event-year growth rate (8.5%) during New Delhi 2010, whereas developed economies such as the United Kingdom and Australia exhibited delayed post-event economic gains. The results suggest that mega-sporting events can contribute positively to GDP growth through infrastructure investment, tourism expansion, and increased economic activity. However, the long-term sustainability of these gains depends on national economic structures and post-event policy frameworks.