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2026 Commonwealth Games

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For the cancelled bid by the state of Victoria, see Victoria bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

XXIII Commonwealth Games
HostGlasgow, Scotland
Nations74 Commonwealth Games Associations (expected)
Athletes3,000 (expected)
Events10 sports
Opening23 July 2026[1]
Closing2 August 2026
Main venueScotstoun Stadium
WebsiteGlasgow 2026
← XXII
XXIV →
Logo of the Commonwealth Games Federation
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2026 Commonwealth Games

The 2026 Commonwealth Games (Scottish Gaelic: Geamannan a' Cho-fhlaitheis 2026), officially known as the XXIII Commonwealth Games and Glasgow 2026 (Scottish Gaelic: Glaschu 2026; Scots: Glesga 2026), is a planned multi-sport event scheduled from 23 July to 2 August 2026, to be hosted in Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, for members of the Commonwealth of Nations.[2][3] This will be the fourth Commonwealth Games to be hosted in Scotland, following the 1970 and 1986 games in Edinburgh, and the 2014 games in Glasgow.

For some time, the Games were without a host after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew, having initially been announced as the host in April 2022.[4] On 18 July 2023, the Victorian state government cancelled its plans due to escalating cost projections. The city of Gold Coast, Queensland, briefly offered to co-host the event but later withdrew for similar reasons. With no host, there was a risk that the Games might be postponed to 2027 or cancelled entirely.[5][6][7]

On 11 August 2024, reports surfaced that Glasgow had reached an agreement to take over the hosting rights,[8] but the next day it was clarified that talks were ongoing with no final agreement or imminent announcement. Commonwealth Games Scotland proposed a scaled-back version of the event, featuring 10 to 13 sports and using existing infrastructure, with £100 million in funding from the Commonwealth Games Federation and an additional £30 to 50 million from commercial sources, ensuring no significant public funds would be required.[9]

A further update on 30 August 2024 confirmed that the Games would be primarily funded by AU$200 million, secured as compensation from the Victorian government following their withdrawal.[10][11] On 17 September 2024, it was announced that the Scottish government had agreed to host the games with financial backing from Commonwealth Games Australia.[3] The scaled-down and low-cost Games will feature 10 sports taking place over four venues and no athletes' village.[3]

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be the first to be held since the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III, as Head of the Commonwealth.

Host selection

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Further information: Bids for the 2026 Commonwealth Games

First selection

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Further information: Victoria bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games
Melbourne, the capital of the Australian state Victoria, who were initially appointed hosts

During the CGF General Assembly on 31 March 2017 in Gold Coast, after the troubled 2022 Commonwealth Games host city bid process, the executive board announced that it had planned to award both 2026 and 2030 Commonwealth Games simultaneously at the CGF General Assembly scheduled for Kigali, Rwanda in September 2019. A new model called CGF Partnerships (CGFP) was implemented which aimed to give stronger support to the associations and cities that show interests in hosting future Games, and enhance the overall value of the event. This is similar to the process used by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 2017.[12][13]

In 2015, the South African city of Durban originally won the rights to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, but was stripped of this right in 2017 due to financial concerns.[14][15] As a result, Birmingham moved up its planned Games from 2026 to 2022.[16] This left the 2026 Games without a host and bids from Kuala Lumpur, Cardiff, Calgary, Edmonton and Adelaide were all withdrawn due to concerns over costs, with a hosting decision not made by the Commonwealth Games Federation between 2019 and 2022.[16]

In January 2022, the Victorian State Government announced it was giving serious consideration to a late request from the CGF to host the Games. On 16 February 2022, Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews confirmed that the state was in exclusive negotiations with the CGF to host the Games.[17] It was stated that if successful in hosting the Games a second time, a Victorian bid would aim to emphasise the state's regional centres—such as Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo—as opposed to being predominantly Melbourne-based, such as in 2006. Bendigo had previously hosted the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games. Acceptance of the bid would likely also be conditional upon agreement on ways to control costs, such as housing athletes and officials in hotels rather than a dedicated village.[18][19] This bid was confirmed as successful on 12 April 2022.[20]

On 18 July 2023, Andrews and Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan announced the state government intended to cancel the 2026 Victorian Games.[5][7] Fifteen months after agreeing to host the Games, the Premier said the cost had escalated to an estimated A$6–7 billion, double the estimated economic benefits for the state, and the government could not justify the expense.[21] The state said it would terminate its host agreement with the Commonwealth Games Federation and seek a settlement of the contract.[6] The withdrawal prompted a new search for a host for the 2026 Games.[22]

2026 Commonwealth Games bidding results
City / region Nation Votes
Victoria Australia Australia Unanimous (2022)
Withdrew (2023)

Second selection

[edit]
Further information: Glasgow bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games

Initial interest

[edit]

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan subsequently said he was "ready" to support the London bid to replace Victoria as the host.[23] Former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf also stated that he was "willing to consider proposals" for Scotland to host at least some of the events at the Games.[24]

On 4 December 2023, the Gold Coast ruled itself out of hosting the games.[25] On the same day, the British government confirmed that there would be "no UK rescue" for the games and that they would not be hosted in the United Kingdom, citing that there is no financial appetite or any preliminary planning in place to allow another British city to intervene again after Birmingham 2022.[26]

On 11 March 2024, the Olympic Council of Malaysia revealed that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) had offered Malaysia approximately £100 million to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games on a smaller scale than initially planned, with discussions ongoing.[27] However, on 22 March 2024, the Malaysian Cabinet declined the offer, stating that the £100 million would be insufficient to cover the event's costs. Furthermore, the Federal Government was unwilling to use taxpayers' money to fund the games, especially given the risk of a scheduling clash with the 2027 SEA Games, also set to be held in Malaysia.[28]

On 14 March 2024, the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), Sport Singapore (SportSG), and Commonwealth Games Singapore (CGS) announced they were exploring the feasibility of hosting the games, including the possibility of a joint proposol with Malaysia to reduce expenses. However, on 3 April 2024, CGS and SportSG confirmed that Singapore would not submit a bid.[29]

Glasgow was considered as the "last possibility" to host the 2026 games after Victoria pulled out.

On 8 April 2024, the CGF indicated that a new host for the 2026 Games might be announced the following month, and on 9 April 2024, Ghana's Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, expressed interest in hosting the event following Accra’s successful hosting of the 2023 African Games in March 2024.[30][31]

Scottish bid

[edit]

On 11 April 2024, it was announced that Glasgow was considered as a "last possibility" to host the 2026 Games in the event, if no other host was forthcoming, in an alternative to safeguard the Games.[32] It was reported that the Games would be in a smaller scale and could reuse venues from the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Accommodation for the athletes would comprise hotels, and possibly a combination of Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Glasgow student residences.[32] Furthermore, the costs of the Games would be covered fully by the Commonwealth Games Federation and their other corporate sponsors.[32] Discussions were ongoing between Commonwealth Games Scotland, the Scottish Government, and EventScotland with a confirmed bid expected by the end of the month.[33] However, the bid documents would not end up being submitted at that time. On 25 July 2024, BBC reported that a decision would be made in August.[34]

On 11 August 2024, it was speculated that an agreement was reached for Glasgow to take over the hosting rights of the games.[8] A statement from the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland issued on 30 August 2024, suggested a compact and low scale games concept with 10 sports across four venues including the Scotstoun Stadium and the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.[11]

On 17 September 2024, it was announced that the Scottish Government had agreed to host the games with financial backing from Australia.[3]

2026 Commonwealth Games bidding results
City / region Nation Votes
Glasgow Scotland Scotland Unanimous

Development and preparations

[edit]

Venues

[edit]

The following venues are expected to be used for the games:[35]

King's Baton Relay

[edit]

As part of the scaled down proposals for the 2026 games, the Commonwealth Games Federation announced on 22 October 2024 that organisers were refreshing the baton relay with further details to be unveiled in due course.[36]

Opening and closing ceremonies

[edit]

As part of the proposed plan put forward by Commonwealth Games Scotland, the opening and closing ceremonies are expected to be scaled down compared to previous Games.[37] It is unknown as of yet whether the ceremonies will take place in a Stadium or another venue in Glasgow.

Participating associations

[edit]

74 Commonwealth Games Associations are expected to send athletes to the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Gabon and Togo expected to make their debuts for the first time since they joined the Commonwealth of Nations in June 2022.

Participating Commonwealth Games Associations

Sports

[edit]
See also: Commonwealth Games sports

Given the urgency and lack of time to organize the event, this will be the first time since 1994 Commonwealth Games that the program will have only 10 sports including the two compulsory sports:[38]

Optional sports dropped from the games include: rugby sevens, field hockey, badminton, triathlon, Twenty20 cricket, squash, diving, table tennis, beach volleyball and rhythmic gymnastics. Some events in athletics and cycling were also dropped.[38][39]

Marketing

[edit]

Visual identity

[edit]

The logo for the 2026 Commonwealth Games was described as a "historic first", integrating the Commonwealth Games Federation logo with the visual and institutional identity of the city of Glasgow. It features symbolic representations of the River Clyde and the Clyde Arc bridge, interwoven within the Commonwealth Sport celebration mark, displayed in the colours of the waterfront. It was created by Glasgow-based agency Loop Design.[36]

Sponsors

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Sponsors of the 2026 Commonwealth Games
Official partners Official Games Supporters Official Games Providers
TBA TBA

Broadcasting

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See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Dates for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games confirmed, BBC Sport, 18 October 2024
  2. ^ Brooks, Libby (17 September 2024). "Glasgow to host 2026 Commonwealth Games after rescue deal agreed". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "Scotland agrees to host Commonwealth Games in 2026, after Bangkok bid withdrawal". BBC News. 17 July 2023. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Games-Australian state to be confirmed 2026 Commonwealth Games host -report". Devdiscourse. 12 April 2022. Archived from the original on 11 April 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Commonwealth Games: 2026 event in doubt after Victoria cancels". BBC News. 17 July 2023. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Commonwealth Games Costs Too High At Over $6 Billion | Premier of Victoria". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  7. ^ a b Karp, Paul; Kelly, Cait; Ore, Adeshola (18 July 2023). "Australia Commonwealth Games 2026: Victoria cancels event after costs blow out to $7bn". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  8. ^ a b Trainer, Paul (11 August 2024). "Reports: Glasgow set to be announced as host city for Commonwealth Games 2026". GlasgowWorld. Archived from the original on 11 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  9. ^ Dewar, Heather (12 August 2024). "No decision as yet on host nation for troubled 2026 Commonwealth Games despite offer from Glasgow". Daily Mail. Archived from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  10. ^ "Victorian taxpayers would pay for Scotland's $220m Commonwealth Games under new proposal". The Guardian. 1 September 2024. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Commonwealth Games Scotland Update on Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games". Team Scotland. 30 August 2024. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Resurgent Commonwealth agrees to begin the process of selecting 2026 and 2030 Commonwealth Games Host Cities". Commonwealth Games Federation. Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  13. ^ "Bid process for 2026 Commonwealth Games officially launched". 31 March 2018. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  14. ^ "Durban in South Africa confirmed as 2022 Commonwealth Games host". The Guardian. 2 September 2015. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 11 September 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  15. ^ "Durban loses right to host 2022 Commonwealth Games". ABC News. 13 March 2017. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  16. ^ a b Yerushalmy, Jonathan (18 July 2023). "Commonwealth Games 2026: why has Victoria pulled out and what happens now?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Victoria likely to host 2026 Commonwealth Games as government enters exclusive negotiations". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Melbourne. 16 February 2022. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  18. ^ Masters, Roy (19 January 2022). "Melbourne set to step into breach as 2026 Commonwealth Games host city". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  19. ^ "Victoria present bid to host 2026 Commonwealth Games, could include 22 sports". 15 March 2022. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022.
  20. ^ "Regional Victoria to host 2026 Commonwealth Games". ABC News. 12 April 2022. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022.
  21. ^ Boaz, Judd (18 July 2023). "Commonwealth Games cancelled in Victoria as government shrinks from $7b price tag". ABC News. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  22. ^ Aarons, Ed (18 July 2023). "British Commonwealth Games bid encouraged after 2026 hosts withdraw". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  23. ^ Gray, James. "London 'ready' to bid for 2026 Commonwealth Games after Victoria pulls out as host". i newspaper. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  24. ^ "Humza Yousaf to 'explore' Scotland Commonwealth Games bid". BBC News. 18 July 2023. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  25. ^ "Commonwealth Games: Gold Coast rules out hosting 2026 event". 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  26. ^ Ingle, Sean (4 December 2023). "No UK rescue for 2026 Commonwealth Games after Gold Coast withdrawal". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  27. ^ "CGF offers Malaysia to host 2026 Commonwealth Games, says OCM". Malay Mail. 11 March 2024. Archived from the original on 11 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  28. ^ "Malaysia declines to host Commonwealth Games 2026". The Star. 22 March 2024. Archived from the original on 22 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Search for 2026 Commonwealth Games host goes on after Singapore opts not to bid". CNA. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  30. ^ "2026 Commonwealth Games update". Commonwealth Sport. 8 April 2024. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Ghana to host 2026 Commonwealth Games?". 3News Ghana. 9 April 2024. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  32. ^ a b c "Commonwealth Games 2026: Scaled-down Glasgow event option for event". BBC Sport. 11 April 2024. Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  33. ^ "Exclusive: Glasgow in frame for Commonwealth Games return in 2026". SportBusiness. 11 April 2024. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  34. ^ Goodlad, Phil (25 July 2024). "Glasgow poised for Commonwealth Games decision". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  35. ^ Dates for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games confirmed, BBC Sport, 18 October 2024
  36. ^ a b "Glasgow 2026". Glasgow 2026. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  37. ^ "Glasgow to host 2026 Commonwealth Games". BBC Newsround. 17 September 2024. Archived from the original on 21 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  38. ^ a b Sports announced for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Megan Bonar & Jonathan Geddes, BBC Sport, 22 October 2024
  39. ^ "No rugby, field hockey, badminton, triathlon or cricket at leaner 2026 Commonwealth Games". CBC News. Associated Press. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  40. ^ "Sky TV Wins Broadcast Rights For 2022 And 2026 Commonwealth Games". Ministry of Sport. 12 November 2019. Archived from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
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