Glasgow has officially been selected as the host city for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, following the withdrawal of Victoria, Australia, due to rising costs. The Scottish city, which previously hosted the Games in 2014, will welcome athletes from July 23 to August 2, 2026, for a streamlined edition of the event.
The Games will feature just 10 sports, significantly reduced from the 19 offered at the 2022 Birmingham Games. However, para sports remain a priority, with six fully integrated into the program, including para athletics, para swimming, para cycling, para powerlifting, and para bowls. Key sports like triathlon, diving, hockey, cricket, squash, badminton, and rugby sevens will not be part of the event.
Around 3,000 athletes from up to 74 Commonwealth nations are expected to participate. The event will bring over $130 million in inward investment to Glasgow, according to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).
CGF chief executive Katie Sadleir praised the new approach, emphasizing the Games as a “bridge to the Commonwealth Games of tomorrow,” with a focus on sustainability, minimized costs, and enhanced social impact. Commonwealth Games Scotland chairman Ian Reid acknowledged the challenges in selecting the sports, stating the need for a more affordable and lighter event.
While no public funding will be required for the Glasgow Games, Australia will cover part of the costs due to Victoria’s withdrawal. The Commonwealth Games continue to evolve, focusing on creating a more flexible and cost-efficient model for future host cities.
