In a major announcement, Glasgow has officially been confirmed as the host city for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The Scottish city, which previously hosted the Games in 2014, will now take on the responsibility of staging a slimmed-down version of the prestigious multi-sport event. This news comes after months of uncertainty following the withdrawal of the original host, Victoria, Australia, due to rising costs.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) made the confirmation on Tuesday, setting the dates for the event between 23 July and 2 August 2026. Unlike previous editions, Glasgow will host a more compact Games, featuring just 10 sports compared to the 19 held at the 2022 Games in Birmingham, England.
This reduction in the number of sports is part of a broader effort to create a more sustainable and cost-effective model for future Commonwealth Games. Para sports, however, remain a priority, with six Para disciplines integrated into the programme, continuing the tradition of fully including Para athletes.
The sports schedule for Glasgow 2026 will include:
– Athletics and Para-athletics (track and field)
– 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
The slimmed-down model is seen as a critical step in ensuring the sustainability of the Commonwealth Games, which has faced challenges in recent years regarding costs and finding willing host cities. Victoria’s withdrawal last year sparked concerns about the future of the 2026 Games, as the Australian state cited a projected cost exceeding A$6 billion (£3.13 billion, $4.09 billion) as the reason for its decision to pull out.
However, the Scottish government’s approval of Glasgow as a replacement host last month paved the way for the CGF to confirm the city as the new venue. The CGF’s chief executive, Katie Sadleir, emphasized that Glasgow 2026 will serve as a “bridge” to the future of the Commonwealth Games, embracing a more sustainable and flexible model that reduces costs, environmental impact, and increases social benefits.
“The 2026 Games will be a bridge to the Commonwealth Games of tomorrow,” Sadleir said. “An exciting first step in our journey to reset and redefine the Games as a truly collaborative, flexible, and sustainable model for the future.”
In addition to reducing the number of sports, the CGF also stated that the Glasgow Games would not require any public funding, with part of the costs being covered by Australia following Victoria’s withdrawal. Glasgow 2026 is expected to generate over £100 million ($130 million) in inward investment for the city, while the event is projected to contribute more than £150 million in economic value to the wider region.
The Commonwealth Games, which take place every four years, have historically been a showcase of athletic talent from nations that were once part of the British Empire. The event has evolved significantly since its inception as the British Empire Games, and the CGF believes that this new, leaner model will open the door to more nations being able to host the event in the future.
With Britain and Australia having hosted five of the last six editions between them, the decision to award Glasgow the 2026 Games demonstrates the CGF’s continued faith in the UK to deliver major international sporting events. Glasgow, in particular, has a strong track record, with the 2014 Commonwealth Games widely regarded as one of the most successful editions of the event in recent memory.
As the countdown to the 2026 Games begins, Glasgow is poised to deliver another memorable sporting spectacle while also pioneering a new, more sustainable approach to the Commonwealth Games for years to come.
