Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026: Dates, venues and the ten sports confirmed for event

The event will take place from Thursday, July 23 until Sunday, August 2, 2026, while the sports included in the slimmed-down version of the Games are 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.

The Games will take place across four venues: Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena – including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome - and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). Athletes and support staff will be housed in hotel accommodation.

The inclusion of ten sports is a reduction of the 17 disciplines that made up the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Cricket, rugby sevens, hockey, squash, table tennis, wrestling and triathlon have all missed out.

Glasgow, which hosted the Games to great acclaim in 2014, has stepped in to keep the concept afloat after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out of hosting on cost grounds. Organisers have stressed that public funding will not be required to stage the event, with more than £100 million of inward investment pledges into the city of Glasgow and a projection to support over £150 million of economic value added for the region.

More than 500,000 tickets will be made available to the public, while up to 74 countries will be represented at the Games.

Commonwealth Games Scotland chief executive Jon Doig 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 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.

“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.”