Commonwealth mascot Clyde out of the running for 2026 Games

Clyde the mascot of Glasgow 2014 will not be returning for next year's Commonwealth Games

Clyde, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games mascot, has announced he won't be returning for next year's games hosted by the city.

The animated thistle, which is Scotland's national flower, was the face of the international sporting event and statues of him remain in place across Glasgow.

Organisers said Clyde will still play a role in next year's event, but for now he is stepping aside in favour of a new mascot "bursting with personality and sparkle".

The Commonwealth Games return to Glasgow in 2026 between 23 July and 2 August, and will involve 10 sports across four venues.

In a statement, Clyde the "talking thistle" didn't seem too prickly about his departure but confirmed he was passing the baton to a new games ambassador.

He said: "Back in 2014, I was honoured to play a part in one of the greatest sporting summers Glasgow and Scotland have ever seen.

"To know that after all these years, I still hold such a place in the heart of this city and in the heart of Scotland, is a far greater honour than a simple thistle could ever ask for.

"So for this very reason – and with a heart full of excitement for what's about to come – that I officially rule myself out of the running to be the mascot for Glasgow 2026."

Clyde became synonymous with the Glasgow 2014 event and was immortalised when 25 life-size Clyde statues were erected across the city including the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and at George Square.

Some have had to be taken down due to vandalism.

He was a popular character and by the final day of the Games, over 50,000 Clyde mascot cuddly toys had been sold.

Other games have had their own mascots including, Borobi the blue koala from the Gold Coast 2018, and Perry the bull from Birmingham 2022.

Glasgow stepped into host a "scaled-back" version of the games last year, after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew as host due to rising costs.

Clyde's memorable moments from Glasgow 2014

Phil Batty, chief executive of Glasgow 2026, said: "Clyde is loved by everybody in the Commonwealth Games community, from the team, fans and athletes to the wider public for his friendly face, his energy and his pride in Scotland.

"He's given many years of tireless service and will be a tough act to follow, but we know our brilliant new mascot will add magic and sparkle to the Games and win a new generation of hearts across Glasgow, Scotland and around the world.

"Imagined by the young people of Glasgow to shine on the world stage, this character captures everything Glasgow 2026 is about - fun, inclusion, pride and progress.

"We can't wait to unveil them to the world later this month."

The new mascot has been created by the Glasgow 2026 Mascot Makers, a team of 76 schoolchildren from 24 Glasgow schools.

Organisers have confirmed the new Glasgow 2026 mascot will be revealed on 23 July to mark one year to go until the Games officially begin.

Could Glasgow 2026's mascot be a unicorn, a haggis or even a new embodiment of the city's iconic Duke of Wellington statue with a traffic cone on his head?

Until then, sporting fans will be left to speculate.