Glasgow to host 2026 Commonwealth Games

It's not yet known which sports will feature at the 2026 Games

Glasgow will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, it has been announced.

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.

However, Australian authorities promised a "multi-million pound" investment if Scotland was to take over.

The Scottish government has now written to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), which oversees the Games, to officially support "a scaled back, but high-quality" event.

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 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.

It's not yet known exactly which sports will be cut.

We do know the athletics will be held at Scotstoun Stadium and swimming will take place at Tollcross.

There will also be no athlete’s village, and any opening and closing ceremonies are expected to be scaled back.

The 2026 opening ceremony could be more scaled back compared to previous Games

Chris Jenkins, who is the president of the CGF said it would work closely with Commonwealth Games Scotland to formally announce Glasgow as the host city as soon as possible.

He also confirmed Commonwealth Games Australia had contributed £2.3m to "enhance the event".

Ian Reid, who is the chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said he was "delighted" after it was confirmed Glasgow will be hosting the next Games.

"Glasgow is one of the few cities in the Commonwealth that can deliver on time given its world-class facilities, experienced workforce and strong supply chain.

“This is a really exciting opportunity and we will be working hard over the coming days to bring the final pieces of the puzzle together."