CWG 2026 Closing Ceremony: Manushi Chhillar, Shankar Mahadevan to Lead India’s Grand Handover to AMDAVAD 2030

Glasgow, July 29: India’s vibrant culture and its shared values will be on public display during the Commonwealth Games handover segment. The segment is part of the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony and will take place on August 2 as part of the international celebration that welcomes Ahmedabad for the centenary edition.

Some of India’s biggest music and dance stars will take to the iconic Hydro stage during the closing ceremony when the Commonwealth Games flag will be handed over to India as the next Games host. The ‘Handover Segment’ will unfold over three Acts, taking the audience on a journey that celebrates shared values, culture and connection, according to a release.

Speaking ahead of the CWG 2026 closing ceremony, Louisa Mahon, Chief Marketing and Ceremonies Officer at Glasgow 2026, said:

“This handover is more than a ceremonial formality; it’s a spectacle that captures the spirit of two nations coming together on one stage. From the power and poetry of Vande Mataram to the extraordinary dialogue between sitar and pipes, and a finale that brings Gujarat’s vibrant culture to life, we’re giving Glasgow audiences a first look at the scale and soul of what’s coming to Amdavad 2030. It’s a privilege to welcome some of India’s biggest stars to Scotland for the very first time, and to send the Commonwealth Games forward with the joy, colour and unity it deserves.”

Opening Act

The opening act will commemorate 150 years of Vande Mataram, India’s national song and a timeless emblem of unity and patriotism. Led by actress and former Miss World Manushi Chhillar, the performance will feature a vibrant ensemble of dancers celebrating the country’s rich cultural heritage through a visually captivating theatrical presentation.

Act Two

The second act will present a classical Indian duet, Jugalbandi, with a unique twist. The jugalbandi will bring together India’s leading sitarists with Scotland’s top pipers. Led by Rishab Rikhiram Sharma (India) and Ross Ainslie (Scotland), the duet will create a powerful musical dialogue between the sitar and traditional Scottish pipes and whistles, resembling a synergy between Glasgow 2026 and Amdavad 2030.

Final Act

The closing act will celebrate India’s cultural diversity while paying a special tribute to Gujarat, the host state of the centenary Commonwealth Games. Audiences will be treated to a musical journey through some of the country’s most iconic compositions, performed by Shankar Mahadevan alongside his sons Siddharth and Shivam Mahadevan. The grand finale will also feature Gujarat’s celebrated singer Bhoomi Trivedi, complemented by elaborate choreography, immersive staging and stunning visual effects.

Simple Minds Headline CWG 2026 Closing Ceremony

Glasgow rock legends Simple Minds will headline the Closing Ceremony and feature a show-stopping line-up of performances from Scotland’s own Cammy Barnes, BEMZ, Sandi Thom, Shereen Cutkelvin, Elephant Sessions as well as radio icon George Bowie. Dance group Diversity will also take to the stage with their renowned choreography routines.

CWG 2030: Amdavad

Ahmedabad, also known as Amdavad, was announced as the host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in November last year. It will be the second time that India will host the multi-sport event, having hosted the last one more than two decades earlier.

Chanda Singh, Director of the TCM Platform and Ceremony Director for the India Handover Segment at Glasgow 2026, said every element of the handover ceremony was carefully designed to make the Commonwealth family experience India’s warmth, energy and optimism. She added that the presentation sought to portray a confident nation that remains deeply connected to its cultural roots and traditions.

“Amdavad 2030 will celebrate 100 years of the Commonwealth Games, and today’s ceremony is the first chapter in that journey. We are excited to welcome athletes, fans and nations from across the Commonwealth to experience an India unlike ever before,” she added.

With inputs from PTI