Host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games confirmed
The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games will take place in 2026 in Scotland, marking the return of the event twelve years after the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The government has unveiled the venues.
The Commonwealth Games is a major sporting event where athletes from Commonwealth countries compete every four years in various disciplines. The Games offer exciting competitions in a friendly atmosphere, always with an inclusive approach, featuring para-sports as well. In 2026, the Games will return to Glasgow, with one of the largest arenas in the country involved in hosting.
Glasgow 2026 will feature a program of ten sports, focusing on four venues: Scotstoun Stadium, the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, the Emirates Arena – including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome – and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).
Over 500,000 tickets will be made available for sale. Around 3,000 of the best athletes from up to 74 Commonwealth nations and territories will compete in the Games. Para-sports will again be featured with six sports included in the program.
The ten disciplines will be: Athletics and Para-Athletics, Swimming and Para-Swimming, Artistic Gymnastics, Track Cycling and Para-Track Cycling, Netball, Weightlifting and Para-Powerlifting, Boxing, Judo, Bowls and Para-Bowls, as well as 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball.
The majority of the costs for the Glasgow Games will be covered by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), which received 306 million GBP (342m EUR / 380m USD) in compensation from the Government of Victoria, Australia, after the state withdrew its participation.
The city, in turn, is investing over 100 million GBP (111m EUR / 123m USD) in the large-scale event. According to the city, the Games are expected to bring an economic benefit of over GBP 150 million (167m EUR / 185m USD) to the region. The funding model for the Games has been designed so that no public money is needed for the event's execution. Additionally, a multi-million-pound investment has been allocated to modernize public sports facilities and secure funding for urban development projects.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “It is fantastic news that the Commonwealth Games Federation has officially confirmed Glasgow as the host city for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. This is great news for the Commonwealth Games and another opportunity for Glasgow and Scotland to showcase their ability to host world-class sporting events. There will be an excellent competition program in ten sports, and I personally look forward to seeing our talented Scottish athletes in action in front of a home crowd. The UK government has actively supported the proposal to bring the 2026 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow and is providing up to 2.3 million GBP (2.6m EUR / 2.5m USD) in emergency funds for security costs. This is a great example of how the UK and Scottish governments are working together for Scotland.” (stadiaworld, 23.10.2024)
