Commonwealth Games 2026 come to an end with closing ceremony

After ten days of excitement, the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games are preparing to come to a close.

While Glasgow may not have expected to host the Games after Victoria dramatically pulled out, the event has been well-received by visitors.

“We’ve enjoyed it, people are really friendly. Netball’s a friendly crowd,” said one woman.

Another told STV News: “We’ve had the best time, noisy, but great.”

One visitor said: “Everybody’s so friendly, they really are making you feel welcome.”

While another quipped: “It’s been amazing, the atmosphere has just been electric the whole time.”

For Team Scotland, its been a successful Games for its athletes, with Neil Fachie remaining the country’s most decorated Commonweath competitor.

He came out of retirement to secure two golds on the tandem bike alongside Aaron Pope.

“I thought, well maybe it would be nice to go for the all-time top of the list for Scottish athletes at the Commonwealth Games if I could just nick a medal. Two golds though was not part of the plan anyway whatsoever,” he told STV News.

Melanie Woods also doubled up on the golds with a win on Saturday in the 400 metres.

She said: “That was the best one yet, i think i was really able to absorb the crowd and appreciate that lap of honour and everyone that’s here to support me.”

Josh Kerr, who romped to victory in the men’s mile, said he was delighted to compete on home turf.

He said: “This is a home championship for us, we have to own that space, we have to own our ground. I learned how to race on that track, and so to really enjoy that last 100 was really important.”

The Commonwealth Games has been a major operation for Police Scotland, which has involved officers and resources from across the country.

Assistant chief constable Mark Sutherland said: “We have a huge amount of experience in delivering these events, and this is where the benefit of being a national service is one where Police Scotland can uniquely move resources across the country to make sure that we are able to meet the demands of the Games.”

Minister for sport Maree Todd added: “We’ve shown yet again Glasgow can put on the most incredible events and we have really powerful legacies ahead in terms of sport.”

After the battle to get Games on in the first place, organisers may well breathe a sigh of relief as they come to a close on Sunday night.

With the likes of Simple Minds, Delta Goodrem and Sandi Thom taking to the stage at the closing ceremony, it’s sure to be a sparkling final night in Glasgow.