Glasgow confirmed as host of scaled down 2026 Commonwealth Games

The next games were due to be held in the Australian state of Victoria, but they unexpectedly withdrew in July last year after costs hit £3.13 billion, far more than the £1.4bn they had expected to spend.

Glasgow last played host to the Commonwealth Games in 2014

Organisers believe the scaled-back Glasgow games can be delivered for just £114 million with the majority of the funding coming from the £100m compensation paid by the Australians.

The Commonwealth Games Federation has also provided a further £20m, which includes £5m for Glasgow City Council to “utilise for capital upgrades and a cultural programme”.

The UK Government has agreed to a “ringfenced contingency” fund of up to £2.3m to be used if existing budget funds and contingency “have been exceeded and all efforts to reduce costs have been exhausted”.

Organisers say they believe the Glasgow Games will deliver “over £100m of inward investment into the city and is projected to support over £150m of economic value added for the region.”

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The revamped event will have a core programme of 10 sports and six para sports, down from 19 sports and eight para sports at the 2022 Birmingham Games. 

These will include athletics and para athletics, 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.

The marathon, road cycling and hockey have all been cut.

The first two are costly as they require roads to be closed, while the third would mean organisers needing to find enough beds for the teams.

Unlike the previous Glasgow Games, there will be no athletes’ village, instead, the 3,000 sports stars from up to 74 Commonwealth nations and territories expected to take part, will use “existing accommodation.”

Representatives from the Commonwealth Games Federation will formally confirm the agreement at an event with First Minister John Swinney, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray and a slew of Scottish athletes later today. 

Writing in The Herald, Mr Murray said the Games coming to the city was the result of “grown up politics” and the Scottish and UK governments working “constructively towards a common goal.”

“Since being appointed Secretary of State for Scotland, just over 100 days ago, I have sought to reset the relationship between Scotland’s two governments. That doesn’t mean we agree on everything – of course we don’t.

“But the Scottish people expect and deserve their governments to work together in the national interest, and I am proud that has happened in the case of the Commonwealth Games.”

Mr Murray said he was “really proud of the active role the Scotland Office and the whole UK Government played in getting us here, but I also know that it wouldn’t have happened without the Scottish Government taking a similar approach”.

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Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Katie Sadleir NZOM said: “The 2026 Games will be a bridge to the Commonwealth Games of tomorrow – an exciting first step in our journey to reset and redefine the Games as a truly collaborative, flexible and sustainable model for the future that minimises costs, reduces the environmental footprint, and enhances social impact – in doing so increasing the scope of countries capable of hosting.

‘’With the reassuring legacy of Glasgow 2014 providing existing sporting, transport and accommodation infrastructure, and world-class venues and expertise, we look forward to working with the Glasgow team to deliver a very special Commonwealth Games in 2026.”

Athletes flying the flag for Scotland (Image: SNS)

First Minister John Swinney said: “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.”

Glasgow City Council Leader Susan Aitken said: “Glasgow benefitted greatly from hosting the Games in 2014 and officials have shared expertise and experience with both Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Commonwealth Games Federation as they have developed their plans for 2026.

“These Games will be, by design, different from those the Glasgow hosted a decade ago – but the city will play its part in helping make them a success on their own terms.”