India Bids For 2028 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, 2026 Asian Relays: India’s latest sporting bid sparks curiosity will the nation bring both major Asian athletics events home? (Image Credit: InsideTheGames)
In a great step towards world sporting reputation, India has formally put in bids to host the 2028 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships and the 2026 Asian Relays. It is a turning point for the nation's athletics infrastructure since it is looking to bring two of Asia's biggest track-and-field events to Indian territory for the first time ever.
Once approved, the decision would not only enhance India's global stature but also cement its increasing focus on creating top-notch sports infrastructure at home and fostering athletic prowess within the country.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has suggested Bhubaneswar as host city for the 2028 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships by leveraging the world-class infrastructure within the Kalinga Stadium complex.
We have bid for 2028 with Bhubaneswar as the host city. There is no other indoor stadium in India that can host an event of this magnitude," an AFI official informed PTI.
The Kalinga Indoor Athletics Arena, which was opened in 2024, has a 200m synthetic track, 100m warm-up lane, specialized areas for long jump, pole vault, triple jump, and shot put, and a seating capacity of 2,000. With its state-of-the-art facilities, the stadium has emerged as a hub of India's revolution in athletics.
While Bhubaneswar is the confirmed choice for the 2028 meet, the venue for the 2026 Asian Relays remains undecided. The AFI is exploring a North Indian city to host the high-profile event, which is tentatively scheduled for April 2026.
“The location for the Asian Relays hasn’t been finalized yet, but discussions are ongoing. We’re looking at several northern options,” said the AFI official.
India's success in the first-ever Asian Relays 2024 in Bangkok provides it with additional push to host. The Indian contingent won gold in the mixed 4x400m relay and silver medals in men and women, marking the country's emergence as a regional powerhouse of sprinting.
India's emphatic performance at the 2024 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Tehran has added more strength to its bid for 2028. India won three gold and one silver medal, with notable performances by:
The next 2026 championships will be hosted in Tianjin, China (February 6–8, 2026) before the tournament could make its first appearance in India in two years' time.
