GLASGOW has now been formally confirmed as the host city for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The Scottish city has stepped into the role after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew last year and its hosting has now been confirmed by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).
However, it will be a scaled-back version of the games with just 10 sports set to feature – here’s a look at what’s included.
What sports will be included?
All sports included in the games will be hosted across four venues in the city – the Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, the Emirates Arena and the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.
The sports included will be:
- Athletics
- Swimming
- Track cycling
- Gymnastics
- Netball
- Weightlifting
- Boxing
- Judo
- Bowls
- 3x3 basketball
There will also be integrated para events in six of those sports - athletics, swimming, track cycling, weightlifting, bowls and basketball.
What sports are not included?
A number of big sports have missed out on this edition, including diving, hockey, T20 cricket, squash, badminton and rugby sevens.
Diving has featured in each of the 12 editions of the Games since the inaugural event in 1930, while hockey and squash have been included since 1998.
The move has been met with some criticism with the World Squash Federation and Scottish Squash describing the sport’s exclusion as “deeply disappointing”.
A joint statement said: “This decision is particularly frustrating for Scotland’s and the Commonwealth’s top squash players, who work tirelessly to represent their countries at major games.
“WSF and Scottish Squash remain committed to supporting these athletes by providing the best competitive opportunities to enhance their skills and proudly represent their countries.
“Representatives of the WSF and Scottish Squash have received assurances that this decision for a condensed event in 2026 will not impact the inclusion of squash into future Commonwealth Games.”
“Hockey enjoys representation from a wide diversity of people, and Commonwealth nations, and Scottish Hockey worked hard to lobby alongside a number of other Commonwealth Nations and the FIH.
“Fundamentally we are so disappointed for our players, officials, and support staff who will miss out on the experience."
When will the event take place?
The CGF has confirmed the event would run from July 23 to August 26, and said it would bring £100 million in inward investment to Glasgow, with the games not requiring any public funding.
CGF’s chief executive Katie Sadleir said the event would be “an exciting first step in our journey to reset and redefine the games as a truly collaborative, flexible and sustainable model for the future”.
