Manushi Chhillar and Shankar Mahadevan to Lead Commonwealth Games 2026 Handover Ceremony

The Commonwealth Games 2026 closing ceremony will feature former Miss World Manushi Chhillar and singer Shankar Mahadevan, who will lead India's handover segment. Set in Glasgow, this event will celebrate India's upcoming hosting of the 2030 edition. The ceremony promises a vibrant mix of performances, including a fusion of Indian and Scottish music, and will showcase a variety of artists. This marks a significant moment for India as it prepares to host the Games for the second time, following New Delhi in 2010. Discover more about this exciting cultural celebration and the artists involved.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 31, 2026, 16:33 IST

Exciting Handover Ceremony at Commonwealth Games 2026

India's handover segment at the Commonwealth Games 2026 closing ceremony will be headlined by former Miss World Manushi Chhillar and renowned singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan. This event is set to take place at Glasgow's OVO Hydro on August 2, marking the official transition of hosting duties to India for the centenary 2030 edition in Ahmedabad. The ceremony will conclude 11 days of intense competition featuring over 3,000 athletes from 74 countries, during which Scotland will present India with the Games flag. This marks only the second occasion that India will host the Games, the first being in New Delhi in 2010.

Chhillar, who earned the Miss World title in 2017, will lead the opening performance with a theatrical dance celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram, India's national anthem. Mahadevan will take charge of the finale, which pays tribute to Gujarat, the host state for 2030, performing alongside his sons, Siddharth and Shivam Mahadevan, as well as singer Bhoomi Trivedi. This performance will be particularly special as it marks the first time Chhillar, Shivam Mahadevan, and Trivedi will perform in Scotland.

In between these two significant acts, sitar virtuoso Rishab Rikhiram Sharma and Scottish piper Ross Ainslie will collaborate on a fusion piece that merges Indian classical music with Scottish traditions, symbolizing the handover.

In addition to the Indian performances led by Chhillar and Mahadevan, the evening will feature Scottish band Simple Minds, Australian artist Delta Goodrem, and performers Cammy Barnes and Sandi Thom.

India's selection as the host for the 2030 Commonwealth Games was officially announced during the Commonwealth Games Federation's general assembly in Glasgow in November 2025.