Glasgow to host 2026 Commonwealth Games
By Tosin Omojola
Track cycling and boxing are among the events included in the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, it has been revealed.
A streamlined programme of 10 sports, announced on Tuesday, also includes athletics and swimming as mandatory, though badminton and hockey have been dropped.
The Games, last held in Glasgow in 2014 at a cost of over £540 million, will take place across four venues between 23 July and 2 August 2026.
Glasgow stepped in to host after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew due to rising costs.
A total of 3,000 athletes from up to 74 Commonwealth nations and territories are expected to compete in the 2026 Games.
The event will also feature “fully integrated para-competitions” across six of the selected sports.
The chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), Katie Sadleir, said: “The Games promise to be a truly immersive festival of sport and a celebration of culture and diversity that inspires athletes and fans, with a more accessible fan experience than ever before.”
First Minister John Swinney said the event presents an exciting opportunity for the people of Scotland.
He stated: “While Glasgow 2026 will look quite different from previous Games, we can and must use this as an opportunity to work collaboratively to ensure that this new concept brings a strong and sustainable future for the Games.”
The CGF said a number of factors, including “universality of participation and quality of competition” as well as local appeal, were considered when deciding which sports to include.
The last time the Games were held in Glasgow, 17 sports were contested. This time, they will feature 10 sports:
Athletics and para-athletics (track and field only), Swimming and para-swimming, Artistic gymnastics, Track cycling and para-track cycling, Netball, Weightlifting and para-powerlifting, Boxing, Judo, Bowls and para-bowls, 3×3 basketball, and 3×3 wheelchair basketball.
There will be no diving competitions.
The event will feature an opening and closing ceremony, and there will be some form of King’s baton relay before the Games.
