Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – Glasgow is set to make history once again as it prepares to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games—just 12 years after the Scottish city last staged the event in 2014. This decision comes after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew from hosting due to spiraling costs earlier this year.
First held in 1930 under the name “British Empire Games,” the Commonwealth Games is a prestigious multi-sport competition held every four years. It features athletes primarily from former British colonies such as Australia, Canada, Jamaica, and India, while the United Kingdom’s nations—Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland—compete independently.
Having already invested in world-class infrastructure for the 2014 Games, Glasgow is well-positioned to step in. Organizers plan to use existing facilities, avoiding the massive expenditures often associated with hosting. The 2014 edition came with a price tag exceeding £540 million, but this time, a more cost-effective and streamlined approach is being adopted.
Four major venues will serve as the backbone of the 2026 Games:
- Emirates Arena
- Tollcross International Swimming Centre
- Scottish Events Campus
- Scotstoun Stadium
In a break from tradition, no new athletes’ village will be constructed. Instead, athletes and officials will be accommodated across hotels and existing housing throughout the city—a move expected to further reduce costs and environmental impact.
Approximately 3,000 athletes from up to 74 Commonwealth nations are expected to take part. The 2026 Games will feature a trimmed-down sports programme, focusing on just 10 core events, six of which will include fully integrated para-sports:
- Athletics and Para-athletics (track and field only)
- Swimming and Para-swimming
- Track Cycling and Para-track Cycling
- Boxing
- Artistic Gymnastics
- Netball
- Weightlifting and Para-powerlifting
- Judo
- Bowls and Para-bowls
- 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball
Notably, all racket sports, including badminton, and popular events like hockey and diving, have been dropped from the 2026 schedule. Even the triathlon and marathon—once fan-favorites offering free access to spectators—are absent from the revised lineup.
The Games will run from 23 July to 2 August 2026, marking an 11-day celebration of athletic excellence and international camaraderie. With preparations now in motion, Glasgow is poised to deliver a bold, modern, and more sustainable edition of the Commonwealth Games.
As the countdown begins, the eyes of the Commonwealth are once again turning to Scotland. BT/9/6/2025
