Sam Heughan: Watch as Outlander actor Sam Heughan stars in TV advert for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Now, award-winning Scottish actor Sam Heughan will promote Scotland’s immediate future, with the actor joining the Commonwealth Games as Glasgow 2026’s first celebrity ambassador.

The Outlander star, who plays Highland warrior Jamie Fraser in the hit time-travel series, features in a new TV advert for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The advert, which launched on Friday morning, features Heughan as a Games knowledge-seeking fan alongside Commonwealth champions.

Those champions include former world 1,500m gold medallist Jake Wightman and five-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Alex ‘Tattie’ Marshall, as well as British Commonwealth and Olympic weightlifting champion Emily Campbell.

A total of 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories are set to come to Glasgow - 12 years after the Games were last held in the city. Athletes will compete in events across ten sports and six Para sports from July 23 to August 2.

The ambassador announcement comes as My Peak Challenge, the global health, wellness, and philanthropy community founded by Heughan, joins Glasgow 2026 as the official wellness challenge provider.

Heughan on full circle moment reminiscing on ‘huge buzz’ during Glasgow 2014 while filming first season of Outlander

Heughan said: “I am overjoyed and extremely proud to be joining the Glasgow 2026 team.

“We have all these amazing athletes at the top of their game coming to Glasgow and competing in a completely integrated programme for their country and I can’t wait for them to experience the pride, warmth and welcome from Glasgow – and, of course, the Scottish crowds, which are some of the best in the world.

“Becoming a Glasgow 2026 ambassador is a real full circle moment for me. When Glasgow last held the Games in 2014, we had just started shooting the very first series of Outlander and I remember there was a huge buzz in the city.

“I was desperate to go and even had tickets. Now, I’ve just finished shooting the last season of Outlander and the Games are back in Glasgow – and this time I won’t be missing a moment.”

Sam Heughan’s My Peak Challenge partners with Glasgow 2026

Heughan founded My Peak Challenge to inspire people to set meaningful goals and support others along the way.

The challenge’s members, known as ‘Peakers’, are part of a community focused on improving their health, building resilience and giving back through charitable causes.

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Heughan said: “My Peak Challenge is a global community all about helping yourself while helping others – by getting fit, building friendships, and creating healthy habits, all while raising money for charity.

“The Commonwealth Games have that same power to inspire people to move more, whether it’s rediscovering a sport you once loved or trying something new for the first time.

“That’s what makes this partnership between My Peak Challenge and Glasgow 2026 such a natural fit.”

Louisa Mahon, chief marketing officer at Glasgow 2026, said: “Sam Heughan is Scotland’s home-grown hero and is recognised globally. He’s also genuinely passionate about fitness and sport. We’re so excited to be welcoming him to our Glasgow 2026 clan and working with My Peak Challenge as an official provider to the Games.

“Sam is a proud Scot and Outlander has played a huge role in putting Scotland on the map, highlighting its unique identity, landscapes and heritage.

“Now, Glasgow 2026 will be bringing a global audience into the city and we can’t wait to showcase the brilliant spirit with a sprinkle of stardust from Sam.

“With the countdown to the Games well and truly on, now is the time to start your obsession, learning more about the ten incredible sports and the world-class athletes competing for their nations and territories.”

Glasgow 2026’s advert is set to roll out on radio as a voiceover, connected TV and cinema across Scotland from Friday. Tickets are now on general sale worldwide at glasgow2026.com/tickets.