Host City: For readers who may not be familiar with the World Police & Fire Games, can you summarize the size and scope of the event – how many sports, venues, participating countries and spectators?

James King: The World Police and Fire Games is a multi-sport, Olympic-style event held specifically for the World’s first responders and public safety. The Games are biennial and began in 1985 in San Jose, California. Birmingham, Alabama was our 21^st edition of the Games. The public safety participants hail from over 70 countries, and numbered 8500, to 10,000 plus athletes. The typical offering of sports is 65, with events ranging from the typical Olympic sports such as track and field and swimming to industry specific events such as the Ultimate Firefighter, the full gear stair race, police motorcycle rodeo, and the police service dogs. All events are free to the public and are available during the entire 9-10 days of the Games.

Host City: How was your experience of Birmingham AL as a host? Were there any learnings or legacies of their recent hosting of the World Games that were helpful to your event?

James King: We always learn a great deal from our various hosts and their respective experiences. The World Police and Fire Games have been in a “post covid” period, but our international participant numbers were actually very strong this edition, especially from Brazil and India.

We also learned that you don’t have to be close to the beach to create a great experience, with many competitors stating that the Beach Volleyball competition was one of the best ever. We heard similar remarks about cycling, which was held at Barber motorsports park. We also reinforced our standards by confirming that strategies such as venue clustering always work.

The 21^st edition of the WPFG provided many great results in the touch points with our athletes; the “athlete experience” was generally well received.

Host City: What benefits has the Games brought to Birmingham?

James King: Obviously, a key marker is economic impact. I heard personally how happy many restaurant owners and operators were with the number of athlete visitors who dined at the local restaurants. Hotels were also happy with the number of athletes, friends and family members who stayed at their hotels. Typically, US$65,000.00 is a good starting point for the return on investment in hosting the Games. I am sure Birmingham experienced this type of return.

Host City: The next two Games are going to very different destinations. How might hosting the World Police & Fire Games support Ahmedabad’s bid for the Olympics?

James King: Our 2027 WPFG will be held in Perth, Western Australia. The 2029 Games will be held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It is fair to say that both destinations are quite different from the United States, let alone the deep south of Alabama. However, they share a common thing in that they all have very hospitable and friendly people. I am excited for our athletes and the experiences that lay ahead.

As for Ahmedabad and how hosting the WPFG may support their bid for hosting the Olympics, the World Police and Fire Games offer the opportunity to rehearse operations and evaluate venues on a very large scale, at a greatly reduced price. The 65 sports offered by the WPFG are held to the highest international governing body standards. This includes the venues, officiating, and other critical components of conducting a major international multi-sport event.

Host City: How important is it for you as a rightsholder to learn from and engage with other types of major events around the world?

James King: We offer our athletes an incredible experience, one which I am very proud of. With that said, we are not perfect. We take lessons from all our experiences, both good and bad. One of the best attributes of our Games is that our athletes can network with like individuals from around the globe. The commonalities are uncanny between public safety, be it law enforcement or firefighting. The same is true for event organizers in the sports world. If you are not learning, you are not growing, which means you won’t be around for long.

Why should cities want to bid to host an event like the World Police & Fire Games?

James King: Easy. The World Police and Fire Games showcases the “human element” of public safety and first responders by honoring them on a global stage. We thank those people who serve people. These folks risk their lives daily in the communities that they serve. We provide an outlet for improving both physical and mental health of first responders. The local public safety personnel will experience long-term benefits from the notoriety received from hosting the Games. It is a shot in the arm for essential services.

Additionally, the economic benefits are huge considering the ROI could be many times the initial investment. Our customer athletes pay their own way, eat at local restaurants, stay in hotels, and support the local economy in many ways. It is an equation that has been paying off for the past 40 years.

[Source: CPAF] Ahmedabad, one of India’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas and a cultural hub in Gujarat, was chosen after a competitive bidding process that included the finalist Hanoi, Vietnam. This is the first time India will host the WPFG, continuing the Games’ tradition of global inclusion and international camaraderie among first responders.

“It is indeed a great honour and responsibility for Ahmedabad to be announced as the host city for 2029 WPFG,” said Vivek Srivastava, Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defense & Home Guards. “As highlighted in our bid document and presentation, we are committed to hosting an athlete-friendly, digitally enabled, and environmentally sustainable Games for the brave first responders of the world. In addition to world-class venues and infrastructure, we are confident of delivering competitive yet welcoming Games where athletes from around the world will experience our wonderful culture, heritage, growth, and hospitality.”

Ahmedabad joins a prestigious roster of global host cities and will follow Perth, Australia, which is set to host the 2027 World Police & Fire Games. This announcement follows the culmination of the Birmingham Games, which ran from June 27 to July 6, welcoming over 8,500 attendees from more than 70 countries.  Competitors participated in 65 events across 35 venues, ranging from traditional sports like basketball and cycling to specialized first responder competitions, including the Toughest Competitor Alive, Police Action Pistol, Ultimate Firefighter, and Firefighter Challenge.

Founded in 1985, the World Police and Fire Games are a biennial event that strives to promote physical fitness and camaraderie among first responders globally. The event is organized by the California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF) and has grown to become one of the largest athletic events in the world. 

The CPAF is also the governing body for the United States Police & Fire Championships and the First Responders Relay. The mission of CPAF is to promote sport and physical fitness among personnel representing law enforcement, fire, corrections, probation, border protection, immigration, and customs.

“With Ahmedabad selected for 2029 and Perth already in place for 2027, we’re excited to see the spirit of these Games continue to thrive on a global scale,” said James King, President of CPAF. “Ahmedabad impressed us with its vision, commitment to sustainability, and passion for delivering an exceptional athlete experience. We’re excited to see the Games head to India for the first time and confident the city will deliver a world-class experience for first responders from across the globe.”

As the newest member of the WPFG legacy, Ahmedabad’s hosting will continue the mission of celebrating the strength, skill, and service of first responders from around the world.

Founded in 1985, the World Police & Fire Games are held biennially and are open to active and retired law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responder personnel from around the globe. More information on future Games, athlete eligibility, and participation can be found at www.cpaf.org.

India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games has taken a significant step forward, as a senior delegation travelled to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland on a three-day official visit. The mission, which confirmed Ahmedabad 2036 as the aim, underscores India’s growing commitment to securing the Summer Games and elevating its profile as a global sporting destination.

This visit marks the first formal presentation by Indian officials since the country expressed interest in staging one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.

The group included prominent figures from India’s sports and administrative leadership: Gujarat Sports Minister Harsh Sanghvi, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha, Sports Association Secretary Hariranjan Rao, Gujarat Chief Sports Secretary Ashwini Kumar, and Urban Development Secretary M Thennarasan.

“The discussions provided a vital platform for the Indian delegation to articulate their vision for hosting a future Olympic Games in Amdavad (Ahmedabad). Concurrently, they gained invaluable insights from the IOC regarding the requirements for the Olympic Games and its ambitions for the future of the Olympic Movement,” a press release issued by the delegation stated.

“The Olympic Games in India would not just be a spectacular event—they would create a generational impact for all Indians,” PT Usha was reported by ETV Bharat as saying.

During the visit, the IOC briefed the Indian team on the requirements and evaluation criteria necessary for a successful bid.

Minister Sanghvi highlighted productive discussions around hosting other sports and business events. “Yesterday, I had a fruitful meeting with the President of SportAccord, a Lausanne-based global sports event organisation. Gujarat was invited to host the SportAccord conference, which will showcase the state’s potential as a premier international sports destination,” he was quoted by ETV Bharat. "We also explored collaborative opportunities for hosting large-scale tournaments."

The President of SportAccord, IOC Honorary Member Ugur Erdener, is speaking at Host City 2025 conference in Glasgow on 1-3 December.

While several other nations have expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Games, India’s bid is considered to be a frontrunner. A Letter of Intent was submitted to the IOC in October 2023, with the proposal led by IOC member Nita Ambani and publicly endorsed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The visit came shortly after the newly inaugurated IOC President Kirst Coventry announced a “pause and reflect” on the process of selecting Olympic host cities, with a view to restoring greater involvement of IOC Members in decision making.

World Netball has unveiled a major strategic overhaul, including a move to host its flagship Netball World Cup every two years instead of four, alongside launching an inaugural men's counterpart. The decision reflects growing concern over the future role of netball at the Commonwealth Games, despite seven destinations declaring interest in hosting future editions.

World Netball CEO Fiona Harold said: “International netball has never been more competitive, but the landscape is becoming increasingly complex to navigate.

“We… absolutely need to be proactive about futureproofing ourselves given the uncertainty around the Commonwealth Games post 2026. These decisions allow us to control our destiny and it’s positive news for everyone. As the International Federation, it is our job to sustain and grow the game over the long term.”

With reference to the men’s Netball World Cup, Harold added: “Whilst World Netball will always remain proud of the sport’s traditions, we must not be held hostage to them.

“Our sport is open to all and now feels like the right time to make a clear statement on the men’s game, which is gaining momentum rapidly.

“The resounding feedback from many stakeholders across the game is that this is a really positive step, especially as we continue to strive and build our case for Olympic Games inclusion.”

World Netball is in discussion with members and third parties about hosting rights for 2028-2035, with a formal process due to launch “imminently”.

Netball’s inclusion at the Commonwealth Games became uncertain following the 2021 publication of the Commonwealth Sport 2026-2030 Strategic Roadmap, which reduced compulsory sports to athletics and aquatics, making netball optional. Though the sport is confirmed for Glasgow 2026, World Netball is positioning its own events to compensate for any potential exclusion in subsequent Games.

Seven countries have officially expressed interest in hosting future Commonwealth Games, with Canada, India, and Nigeria are targeting the centenary 2030 Games, while two others (including New Zealand) explore 2034 bids. The host for 2030 is due to recommended by late November 2025 at the CGF General Assembly in Glasgow. With the new hosting model favouring cost‑efficient events using leaner programmes, netball’s continued presence remains unguaranteed under the flexible model, which could leave the sport in limbo unless individual host nations choose to include it.

Speaking in April, Commonwealth Sport Director of Games and Assurance Darren Hall said, “Considering the high level of interest in hosting future Commonwealth Games in 2030 and beyond, we will now discuss each submission further and work with each interested Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) and its regional representatives as part of a co-creation and collaboration phase to establish hosting feasibility.

“During this next five-month period, candidates moving forward in the process will ultimately be required to provide a detailed Games Proposal to Commonwealth Sport. This will be followed by a Commonwealth Sport-led evaluation process culminating in our Executive Board recommending a host to the Membership for approval at the General Assembly in late November 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland."

"We are in a period of transition in the Olympic Movement," ASOIF President Ingmar de Vos said in his speech welcoming IOC President-Elect Kirsty Coventry and paying tribute to IOC President Thomas Bach, at the ASOIF General Assembly.
Also addressing President-Elect Kirsty Coventry, World Athletics President Lord Coe said: "There is a huge opportunity with the new leadership to create the reset around the relationship between the IOC and the IFs, and particularly the review of the revenue generation model. 
"We all want the pinnacle of Olympic sport being the pinnacle of the four year summer sporting cycle and we look forward to working with you. You will have the support all the IFs; we stand ready to support you. 
IOC President-Elect Kirsty Coventry said: "We would all love to say we hope the next few years are going to be smooth but I'm not sure that's quite going to be the case."
Listing the challenges ahead, she referred to "all the geopolitics we are going to need to navigate, the more and more conflicts that our world is facing, revenue models."
"We won't always agree. We hope we can be respectful enough to disagree... but that's what a family is about. It's how we are going to come together to make sure we have the best Olympic Games and the best platform for generations to come."

Bravely challenge models

With reference to recent "tough discussions" with ASOIF about "event delivery", she said "International federations need to play a greater role."
"It's important to take some time to engage with all of you to fully understand not just want your expectations are, but how we are going to deliver extraordinary Games in LA and Brisbane, and into the future. 
"We have to be brave enough to challenge some of the models that we've been doing.
"It's very clear there are two priorities, two pillars: the Olympic Games, and ensuring the Olympic Games is the biggest success for our athletes; and the second one is then building a better world through sport. The first one has to be extremely successful in order to have the second one. 
"So we really need to focus on how we are going to ensure together we are going to have incredible Games that will inspire generations and more people across the world."