India’s biggest music and dance stars will take centre stage at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony as part of a spectacular handover celebration welcoming Amdavad as the host city for the 2030 Games.
The Handover Segment, taking place at the iconic Hydro venue, will feature a three-act performance celebrating the shared values, culture and connections between Scotland and India.
The opening act will mark 150 years of Vande Mataram, India’s national song and a powerful symbol of unity. Led by actress and former Miss World Manushi Chhillar, the performance will showcase India’s rich cultural heritage through a vibrant display of dance, music and theatrical storytelling.
The second act will bring together two musical traditions in a unique interpretation of a classical Indian Jugalbandi duet. Renowned sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma and Scotland’s leading piper Ross Ainslie will create a cultural dialogue between the sitar and traditional Scottish pipes and whistles, symbolising the connection between Glasgow 2026 and Amdavad 2030.
The final act will take audiences on a journey across India, with a special focus on Gujarat, the Indian state preparing to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games.
The performance will feature celebrated composer and singer Shankar Mahadevan, alongside his sons Siddharth and Shivam Mahadevan, performing some of India’s most iconic songs. Gujarat’s own Bhoomi Trivedi will also take part, with spectacular choreography, staging and visual effects completing the celebration.
The ceremony will mark the first Scottish performances for several of India’s leading entertainment stars, offering fans the opportunity to experience one of the country’s biggest cultural showcases.
The Closing Ceremony will also feature a strong Scottish presence, headlined by Glasgow rock legends Simple Minds and including performances from Cammy Barnes, BEMZ, Sandi Thom, Shereen Cutkelvin, Elephant Sessions and radio personality George Bowie. Dance group Diversity will also bring their internationally recognised choreography to the stage.
Glasgow 2026 Chief Marketing and Ceremonies Officer Louisa Mahon described the handover as more than a traditional ceremony.
“This handover is more than a ceremonial formality – it’s a spectacle that captures the spirit of two nations coming together on one stage,” she said. “We are giving Glasgow audiences a first look at the scale and soul of what’s coming to Amdavad 2030.”
Chanda Singh, Director of TCM Platform and Ceremony Director for the India Handover Segment, said the performance was designed to showcase India’s traditions, energy and optimism.
“Every moment of this handover was designed with one purpose – to make the Commonwealth family feel the warmth, energy and optimism of India,” Singh said.
“Amdavad 2030 will celebrate 100 years of the Commonwealth Games, and today’s ceremony is the first chapter in that journey.”
The Glasgow 2026 Closing Ceremony will provide a symbolic bridge between the current Games and the next chapter of Commonwealth sporting history, celebrating the cultures of Scotland and India on one global stage.
