India will host the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2028 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, a first for the country. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and MoS Raksha Khadse shared their joy over this big win for Indian sports. On March 19, 2026, the World Athletics Council approved India’s bid during its meeting in Toruń, Poland, ahead of the 2026 event there (March 20-22). Mandaviya posted on X: “The World is coming to India! Under PM Modi’s leadership, India is emerging as a premier destination for global events.” MoS Khadse said: “India is now a major hub on the global sports map. This historic milestone shows our progress in performance and hosting.”
The event will be at Kalinga Stadium Complex’s indoor facility, featuring a 200m synthetic track and areas for jumps, throws, and sprints. World Athletics inspected it in January 2026 and approved. Athletics Federation of India (AFI) President Bahadur Singh Sagoo announced the news, calling it a proud moment.
This marks India as the fourth Asian host after Japan (1999), Qatar (2010), and China (2025). The biennial championships, started in 1985, draw top athletes for 26 events over three days. India previously hosted the 2004 World Half Marathon in New Delhi. Hosting this boosts Odisha’s sports infra and prepares for 2028 LA Olympics.
FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]
1. Where and when is the 2028 event?
Bhubaneswar, Odisha, at Kalinga Stadium Complex; India’s first time hosting this biennial World Athletics Indoor Championships.
2. What did Sports Minister Mandaviya say?
“The World is coming to India!” Praised PM Modi’s leadership for turning India into a top host for major international sports events.
3. Why was Kalinga Stadium chosen?
Features 200m track and event areas; World Athletics team inspected and approved facilities in January 2026.
(*Image-Source-Ommcom-News)