Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games can rise to the occasion and make a virtue of its smallness
A stripped back celebration of sport puts sustainability at its heart
Glasgow effectively saved the Commonwealth Games when it stepped in to replace the Australian state of Victoria as host, and for that we should be grateful.
Over the next couple of weeks the city will have the opportunity to showcase all its abundant qualities and put on a show worthy of its reputation: the friendly city hosting the friendly Games.
Some would argue it will have to do it with one hand tied behind its back. This, after all, is the scaled-back, no frills Commie Games: fewer sports, no new infrastructure and a mainstream live television blackout. But Glasgow likes a challenge.
When it last hosted the Games, in 2014, it rose to the occasion magnificently. Millions were poured into building a velodrome, an indoor arena and upgrading the swim centre at Tollcross.
The good news is that all those facilities remain in place and are ready to go. It meant Glasgow could step in when Victoria ran out of money and willingness.
It will be a compact and bijou version of the Games this time around. There were 18 sports in 2014 but only 10 this summer. The athletics was staged at a converted 52,000-capacity Hampden Park 12 years ago. This time, it’s the modest Scotstoun Stadium.
Indoor opening ceremony
Opening and closing ceremonies in 2014 were at Celtic Park and Hampden and featured the likes of Rod Stewart, Kylie Minogue and Nicola Benedetti, and there was a video message from Ewan McGregor.
The 2026 opening ceremony is heading indoors, to the Hydro, and tickets are still available.
But Glasgow can make a virtue of its smallness. Sustainability is now key and this summer’s Games will be played out across four venues within an eight-mile corridor.
While the original concept of the Games now seem anachronistic it has evolved and flourished into a multi-sports festival which always throws up unexpected heroes. Twelve years ago we all celebrated swimmer Dan Wallace, boxer Charlie Flynn and the brilliant exploits of the Renicks sisters and the rest of the all-conquering judo team.
Four years ago in Birmingham, Eilish McColgan lit up the Alexander Stadium with a sensational victory in the 10,000 metres which evoked memories of her mother, Liz, herself a double Commonwealth champion.
There will be new heroes this time, fresh memories to be made at Scotstoun, Tollcross and elsewhere. Let the Games begin.
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