The 2026 Games will undoubtedly have a very different feel to them, with a massively reduced budget and timeline available to deliver the Games, but this is a necessary and vital step to securing the short and long-term future of the Commonwealth Games.
Commenting on the announcement being made on Tuesday 22nd October 2024, Scottish Cycling Chief Executive, Nick Rennie, said:
“Today is a massive milestone for the Commonwealth Sport movement, and I’d like to congratulate our colleagues at Commonwealth Games Scotland, the Commonwealth Games Federation and Glasgow City Council for making this new vision a reality.
“Whilst there will quite rightly be disappointment for the sports that aren’t included in the Games – which for us includes mountain biking and the road races – we have to be grateful that the Games are going ahead at all, given the levels of jeopardy six months ago. The Commonwealth Games mark one of the few opportunities our riders have to represent Scotland at the highest level, so we are delighted this has been preserved.
“As we did for last summer’s UCI Cycling World Championships, Scottish Cycling will do everything it can to support the delivery of the Games, ensuring there is a strong connection to communities across Scotland, and making sure there is a tangible and long-lasting benefit felt from the Commonwealth Games returning to Scotland.”
The new model
Glasgow 2026 will be the first step in the journey to reset and redefine the Commonwealth Games as a co-created, flexible and sustainable model that inspires athletes, and excites hosts and international federations. In utilising existing sporting, transport and accommodation infrastructure, as well as world-class venues and expertise, the compact and cost-effective concept builds on the legacy of Glasgow 2014, but also positions Scotland as pioneers of this new chapter.
The model for the Games is different, but there has been recognition that the successful model of the past must change to become more sustainable and affordable for the future. Given the financial constraints and timeline to deliver the Games, the concept has been designed to minimise risk for all parties.
The 2026 concept will have a core offering of 10 sports – striking a balance between ensuring the event has a multi-sport feel, and the need to manage athlete numbers and event costs due to the condensed timeframe to deliver these Games.
As already documented, the sports programme will take place across a compact four venue model within an eight-mile corridor, which will minimise transport requirements and will be accessible and appealing to spectators looking to enjoy the multi-sport environment and festival feel.
We are also pleased to see that Para Sport integration remains a priority and hope to see more para medals going Scotland’s way on the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in two years’ time.
For the majority of its history, the Commonwealth Games has been held with approximately 10 sports. Post-1998 the Games have been flexible, ranging between 15-20. Flexibility will be important for future hosts, and the CGF have been clear that any decision not to include a sport in the 2026 sports programme does not impact or set a precedent on the sport’s position in future Games. We therefore hope to see mountain biking and the road races return in 2030.
Extensive budgetary work will see the 2026 Games deliver significant financial benefits to the Glasgow and Scottish economy, with an expected gross value add of over £150 million. The concept includes a multi-million-pound investment to public sport facilities, saving the public purse money and leaving a physical legacy of the Games in those venues.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place from 23 July – 2 August and will utilise four existing venues; The Emirates Arena (including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome), Tollcross International Swimming Centre, the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) and Scotstoun Stadium. There will be no road-based events, such as a cycling road race or the marathon, and there will also be no athletes’ village built for the Games, with competitors and officials staying in existing accommodation across the city.
With over 500,000 tickets to be made available at a future date, there will be around 3,000 of the best athletes competing from up to 74 Commonwealth nations and territories that represent 2.5 billion people – one-third of the world’s population.
The full sports programme 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 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball
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 added:
“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.
“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.”