The 2026 Commonwealth Games: A Streamlined 10-Sport Lineup

Kirsty Gilmour, who earned a silver medal at the 2014 Games, will be unable to compete in the 2026 edition.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will feature a streamlined schedule of 10 sports with organizers excluding badminton, hockey and racquet sports. The event will run from 23 July to 2 August across four venues including the Emirates Arena and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). Approximately 3,000 athletes from up to 74 Commonwealth nations will compete with organizers integrating para-competitions across six sports.

Glasgow stepped in to host the Games after Victoria, Australia withdrew due to rising costs. The Games which last took place in Glasgow in 2014 will include athletics, swimming, boxing and gymnastics among others. Fans and athletes expressed disappointment over hockey’s exclusion with Scottish Hockey calling it a “huge blow.” Organizers explained that budget constraints influenced their decision on which sports to include.

They also stressed the importance of reducing the number of venues for the event. While they recognized the disappointment, they highlighted the necessity of managing costs effectively. The event is expected to generate around £150m for Glasgow with organizers planning to make 500,000 tickets available. The estimated budget for the Games is £114m with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) contributing £100m.

Organizers will fund the remaining costs through commercial revenue such as sponsorships and ticket sales. They will use Glasgow’s existing venues making some temporary upgrades and house athletes in hotels and student accommodations across the city. Despite a reduced scale, organizers remain optimistic positioning the 2026 Games as a “great opportunity” for Scottish athletes and a chance to showcase the city’s infrastructure and leadership in hosting major events.

Cataleya