Glasgow to host 2026 Commonwealth Games

The event will feature a scaled back 10-sport programme

It's official, Glasgow will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The Scottish city, which last hosted the international sporting event in 2014, has stepped in after the state of Victoria in Australia backed out.

Victoria withdrew in 2023 because it was going to cost too much money to put on the event there.

The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games will take place in Scotland from 23 July to 2 August 2026.

Officials have said the Games will be slightly smaller this time, with fewer athletes and events, due to the shorter amount of time to plan it.

What will the 2026 Commonwealth Games look like?

Glasgow last hosted the international sporting event in 2014

A lack of time and funding for the competition means that some sports will have to be dropped from the next Games, and there will also be fewer athletes.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will see 10 sports take place across four venues in Glasgow. It's a big difference compared to the 19 events that featured at the 2022 Games in Birmingham.

The four venues are: Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena – including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).

The 10 sporting events will include Athletics and Para Athletics (Track & 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 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball.

Around 3,000 athletes from up to 74 Commonwealth nations and territories will compete in the this year, compared with 4,822 athletes from the 2022 Games.

There will also be no athlete’s village this time round, with athletes and support staff staying in hotel accommodation during the event.

Opening and closing ceremonies are also expected to be scaled back.

Commonwealth officials said that 500,000 tickets would be made available to fans to come and watch the Games

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) boss Katie Sadleir NZOM said: "On behalf of the entire Commonwealth Sport Movement, we are delighted to officially confirm that the 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place in the host city of Glasgow.

"The Games promise to be a truly immersive festival of sport and celebration of culture and diversity that inspires athletes and sports – with a fan experience more accessible than ever before."

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney said: “The Commonwealth Games is a hugely important event for Scottish sport and an exciting opportunity for the people of Scotland.

“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."