Glasgow officially named as host of 2026 Commonwealth Games

Key Points

Glasgow will host the Commonwealth Games for the second time in just over a decade
Scotland will welcome athletes from across the world for what has been described as a scaled-down and sustainable Games
The Games will take place from Thursday, July 23 to Sunday, August 2
Glasgow 2026 will feature ten sports taking place across four venues
Original hosts Victoria pulled the plug after an estimate of costs between double and triple the original budget

Glasgow has been officially confirmed as the host city of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The city will host a scaled-down version of the Games after the Scottish Government announced last month it would back a deal to bring them back to Scotland.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) said on Tuesday the event will run from Thursday, July 23 to Sunday, August 2.

It comes after the state of Victoria in Australia backed out of holding the Games, citing a rise in estimated costs.

Glasgow hosted the 2014 iteration of the international sporting event and will now welcome athletes from across the world for the second time in just over a decade.

Sport

Why is Glasgow going to host the Commonwealth Games?

The multi-sport event is to return to Glasgow after agreement was reached on funding.

The CGF said Glasgow 2026 will feature ten sports taking place across four venues – Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena, and the Scottish Event Campus.

The sports programme will include athletics and para athletics (track and field), swimming and para swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling and para track cycling, netball, weightlifting and para powerlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and para bowls, and 3×3 basketball and 3×3 wheelchair basketball.

More than 500,000 tickets will be made available for the Games, which organisers say will deliver over £100m of inward investment into the city and is projected to support over £150m of economic value added for the region.

A new Commonwealth Games logo has been inspired by some of Glasgow’s engineering, architectural, and natural symbols, including the River Clyde, the Finnieston Crane, and the Clyde Arc.

Commonwealth Games Scotland Chief Executive Jon Doig OBE, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have secured Glasgow as hosts of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

“When we started pulling this concept together just under a year ago, our focus was on creating a Games that was different – that could be delivered to the highest quality, in the short time frame, in a financially sustainable way.

“Glasgow 2026 will have all the drama, passion and joy that we know the Commonwealth Games delivers even if it is to be lighter and leaner than some previous editions. It will be more accessible, delivered on a smaller footprint which brings our fans closer to the sporting action.

“The Commonwealth Games has a special place in the hearts of athletes around the globe, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming them, their support staff and fans from all four corners of the Commonwealth to experience the famous Scottish and Glasgow hospitality. It is an exciting moment for the city and the country.”

First Minister John Swinney described the Games as a hugely important event for Scottish sport and an “exciting opportunity for the people of Scotland”.

He said: “As well as an action-packed, inclusive sports programme that will inspire and excite audiences across the globe – Glasgow 2026 will also be a cultural celebration.

“I would like to thank Commonwealth Games Scotland for their hard work and dedication to produce a viable proposal for Glasgow 2026 – and to the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Australia for their assistance in helping to secure the Games. I believe this epitomises the Commonwealth spirit and willingness to work together.

“While Glasgow 2026 will look quite different to previous Games, we can, and we must, use this as an opportunity to work collaboratively to ensure that this new concept brings a strong and sustainable future for the Games. The Scottish Government is committed to playing its part in building that new vision.”

It is hoped that the new Commonwealth Games model, where some sports are cut if costs rise, will lead to a wider selection of host cities in the future, including among Global South countries.

The UK Government has agreed to provide a ringfenced contingency funding of up to £2.3m that can be accessed if existing budget funds and contingency have been exceeded and all efforts to reduce costs have been exhausted, he said.

The multi-sport event is held every four years across Commonwealth countries, with Birmingham the most recent host city in 2022. Edinburgh hosted the Games in 1970 and 1986.

Scottish secretary Ian Murray said: “It’s fantastic news that the Commonwealth Games Federation has formally confirmed Glasgow as the host city of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

“This is good news for the Commonwealth Games and yet another opportunity for Glasgow and Scotland to demonstrate their ability to put on world-class sporting events.

“There will be a great competitive programme across 10 sports, and I, for one, can’t wait to see our talented Scottish athletes in action in front of a home crowd.

“The UK Government has actively supported the proposal to bring the 2026 Games to Glasgow, and is providing up to £2.3m contingency towards security costs. This is a great example of the UK and Scottish governments working together to deliver for Scotland.”

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken also welcomed news of the official declaration.

She said: “The 2026 Games are an opportunity to set out a new blueprint for the future of sustainable, accessible Commonwealth sport – and it should come as no surprise that the organisers believe Glasgow is the place they can make that happen.

“Our city has a track record that is second to none when it comes to staging major events – and, in particular, working with organisers to make sure new competitions and formats get off to the best possible start.

“Glasgow benefitted greatly from hosting the Games in 2014 and officials have shared expertise and experience with both Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Commonwealth Games Federation as they have developed their plans for 2026.

“These Games will be, by design, different from those the Glasgow hosted a decade ago – but the city will play its part in helping make them a success on their own terms.”