Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Everything You Need to Know
When Glasgow 2026 Will Take Place
The Games are set for 23 July to 2 August 2026, kicking off with an opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow. The first medal will be awarded in para‑powerlifting on the second day. By 2 August the competition will finish with netball and cycling medals before a closing ceremony.
The 2026 edition will be the 23rd Commonwealth Games, a tournament that began in 1930. After a period of uncertainty, Glasgow has secured the rights to host a scaled‑down version of the event.
Cycling and para‑cycling races will be held at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome [Getty Images]
Why Glasgow Is Hosting the Games
Glasgow becomes only the second Scottish city to host the Commonwealth Games, following its successful stint in 2014. The city stepped in after the Australian state of Victoria abandoned the 2026 bid because costs had become untenable. A deal with Australian authorities secured the event for Glasgow in September 2024.
Scotland also hosted the 1970 and 1986 Games in Edinburgh, giving the nation a proud tradition of organising multi‑sport events. The return to Glasgow marks a fresh chapter for the Commonwealth movement.
Sports on Offer in Glasgow 2026
This year’s programme features ten sports, a sharp reduction from the 17 disciplines seen in 2014, reflecting a more cost‑effective model. The selected sports are athletics and para‑athletics (track and field only), swimming and para‑swimming, track cycling and para‑track cycling, weightlifting and para‑powerlifting, 3×3 basketball and 3×3 wheelchair basketball, bowls and para‑bowls, boxing, judo, netball and an expanded para‑sport offering.
Hockey and all racquet sports were left out, sparking disappointment among fans despite Glasgow’s existing hockey facility. The trimmed roster is designed to make future bids more attractive for cash‑strapped Commonwealth nations.
3×3 basketball is one of the ten sports selected for the Commonwealth Games [Getty Images]
Glasgow 2026 Venues
Four main venues will host the competition, each chosen for their existing facilities and accessibility. The Tollcross International Swimming Centre will hold swimming and para‑swimming events. Scotstoun Stadium will host athletics and para‑athletics, though its capacity is around 11,000, far smaller than Hampden Park’s 52,000‑seat arena used in 2014.
The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Arena will be the hub for track cycling and para‑track cycling. The Scottish Event Campus will house the remaining sports, spread across the SEC Centre, the SEC Armadillo and the OVO Hydro, which will also stage netball and the opening ceremony. 3×3 basketball and wheelchair basketball, bowls, boxing and judo will all be contested at the SEC Centre.
Four venues will be used for the Commonwealth Games [BBC]
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Both ceremonies will take place at the OVO Hydro, beginning with a spectacular opening show on 23 July. Organisers have promised performances from major international artists, emerging talent and a large volunteer contingent.
About 600 volunteers are involved in total, reflecting the Games’ community‑focused ethos. The 2014 opening ceremony at Celtic Park featured iconic moments such as dancing Tunnock’s tea cakes and a memorable Queen’s baton mishap involving President Imran.
The King’s baton relay is already underway, with Sir Chris Hoy handing over the baton in Port of Spain last March. Each competing nation received its own decorated baton, which will travel through more than 50 Scottish events before reaching the Hydro.
The 2014 opening ceremony was held at Celtic Park [Getty Images]
Ticket Prices and Availability
Ticket categories start at £17 for non‑medal sessions and £26 for events where medals are on the line. Prices quickly climb into three‑figure territory for popular sports such as athletics and cycling at Scotstoun Stadium.
The steep cost sparked complaints when the first briefs went on sale, with many Glaswegians telling BBC Scotland News that pricing was too high. Demand is intense because Scotstoun’s capacity limits supply, leaving premium tickets as the only options for many fans.
Cheaper seats for sports with more sessions—such as netball—remain available. Organisers report “incredible enthusiasm” and “strong demand” during pre‑sales, noting a deep passion for the Games returning to the city. Tickets are sold exclusively via the Glasgow 2026 website in digital format.
Digital tickets will be delivered as PDF downloads or mobile‑wallet entries to the buyer’s registered email. As with concerts and major sporting events, arrivals often happen just days before the competition begins.
Medal Highlights and Design
A total of 215 gold medals will be handed out, the highest number ever for a scaled‑back edition. The largest swimming, cycling and 3×3 basketball programmes in Commonwealth history will be featured.
More para‑sport events will be included than in any previous Games, reflecting a broader commitment to inclusivity. Each medal is crafted to feature an inclusive braille design, the Finnieston Crane and Glasgow’s coat of arms, created by award‑winning designer Militsa Milenkova.
Key Athletes Competing
High‑profile names include Jake Wightman, a World Championship silver medallist, who will race the revived Commonwealth Mile. Megan Keith makes her Games debut in the 10,000 m, while Neil Gourley partners Wightman in the Mile, vowing to finish even if he has to “crawl around the track”.
Two‑time Commonwealth judo gold medallist Sarah Adlington hopes for a third gold to close her career with a fairytale ending. In the pool, Duncan Scott and Angharad Evans lead a squad that also includes Olympians Katie Shanahan, Keanna MacInnes and Lucy Hope.
Elaine Thompson‑Herah, five‑time Olympic champion, will defend her 100 m and 200 m titles at Glasgow 2026. England’s Adam Ramsay‑Peaty returns for a fourth appearance, and Tom Dean, 2020 Olympic champion, is also in the squad.
Several celebrated names will not compete: retiring cyclists Jack Carlin and Katie Archibald announced their departures in late 2025 and earlier this year, respectively. Keely Hodgkinson opted to focus on the upcoming European Championships.
How to Watch the Games
TNT Sports, a subscription channel, outbid the BBC for the broadcasting rights, ending a 70‑year free‑to‑air run. Every event will be streamed via the HBO Max platform, with more than 600 hours of live coverage.
The starting price for TNT packages is £4.99, including adverts, while premium, ad‑free options cost more. The BBC was unable to match TNT’s bid, leaving viewers who want live action to pay for the service.
Free highlights are available on Channel 5, which will air a daily programme each day of the Games. BBC ALBA has also secured a deal to broadcast live action and nightly highlights, with content accessible via the BBC iPlayer.
Glasgow 2014 Legacy and Comparisons
The 2014 event is remembered as a huge success, with organisers calling it “the standout Games in the history of the movement.” Scotland finished fourth overall, claiming a record 19 golds and a best‑ever total of 53 medals.
England topped the medal table for the first time in 28 years, ahead of Australia and Canada. Iconic moments included Usain Bolt anchoring a 4×100 m relay gold and Nicola Adams becoming the first women’s boxing gold medallist.
The games were well attended, enjoyed warm weather and featured fan zones and free concerts, creating a party atmosphere across the city. The Scottish government’s caution about hosting 2026 stemmed from concerns over the high comparative success of the earlier edition.
Usain Bolt was one of the star attractions at the 2014 Games [Getty Images]
Mascot and Branding
The former thistle mascot Clyde has retired from representing the overall Games but will serve as Team Scotland’s emblem. The new face of the entire event is a unicorn named Finnie, whose horn resembles a Glasgow traffic cone.
Finnie made her official debut at the iconic Finnieston Crane and was designed with input from schools across the city. The character embodies Glasgow’s industrial heritage and modern vibrancy.
The new mascot Finnie, a unicorn with a traffic‑cone horn, was designed with help from Glasgow schoolchildren.
Future of the Commonwealth Games After Glasgow 2026
Following Victoria’s withdrawal, doubts surrounded the Games’ long‑term viability. Durban’s abandoned 2022 bid forced Birmingham to step in, and mounting costs have left many nations wary.
Glasgow’s leaner programme is intended as a blueprint for future editions, offering a more affordable model for emerging hosts. Early interest looks promising: Ahmedabad in India has secured the right to stage the centenary Games in 2030, and Nigeria has also submitted a bid.
Organisers are hopeful that the successful delivery of Glasgow 2026 will restore confidence and encourage more countries to consider hosting the event in the decades ahead.
The Narendra Modi Stadium could host events at the 2030 Commonwealth Games [Getty Images]