Bhubaneswar is set to host the 2028 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, further strengthening the Odisha capital’s growing reputation as a major athletics hub in the country.

The championship will be held in January 2028 at the Indoor Athletics Centre of Kalinga Stadium. Earlier this year, Bhubaneswar had also secured the hosting rights for the 2028 World Athletics Indoor Championships.

According to a report by The Times of India, the Asian Indoor Championships will become the fourth major international athletics event to be hosted by the city within four years.

Asian Athletics Association president Adille Sumariwalla and Athletics Federation of India officials said the event is expected to provide a major boost to athletics and sports culture in the country.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said hosting the Asian Indoor Championships would further strengthen Odisha’s sports ecosystem and help prepare for the 2028 World Athletics Indoor Championships.

Over the past few years, Bhubaneswar has emerged as a regular venue for major athletics events. The city hosted the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze-level meet last year and is set to stage a Silver-level meet this year.

The Odisha capital has also hosted several national-level competitions, including the Federation Cup in 2024 where Neeraj Chopra won gold with a throw of 82.27 metres.

Apart from national junior championships, Bhubaneswar also hosted the maiden National Indoor Athletics Championships and Indoor Open Combined Events & Pole Vault Meet earlier this year.

Next month, the city will also host the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, which will serve as a qualifying event for the upcoming Asian Games.

Meanwhile, Chandigarh has been selected to host the 2027 Asian Relay Championships at Sector 7 Sports Complex. The competition will feature men’s, women’s and mixed relay events in 4x100m and 4x400m categories.