Green light for Glasgow! Commonwealth Games to return to Scotland from July 23 – August 2 in 2026 – Scottish Athletics

Tuesday 22nd October 2024

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is pleased to officially confirm Glasgow as the host city of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games will take place in Scotland from Thursday 23 July to Sunday 2 August 2026, returning to the city 12 years after the hugely successful 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Glasgow 2026 will feature a 10-sport programme concentrated across four venues within an eight-mile corridor, ensuring an action-packed broadcast schedule across each day of competition and making the event accessible and appealing to spectators.

Track and field athletics and Para athletics are in the programme and will be staged at Scotstoun.

With over 500,000 tickets to be made available at a future date, there will be around 3000 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.

Para sport will once again be fully integrated as a key priority and point of difference for the Games, with six Para sports included on the sport programme.

The 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.

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 Glasgow 2026 Games will deliver over £100 million of inward investment into the city and is projected to support over £150 million of economic value added for the

region, with a model that has been specially designed to not require public funding for the delivery of the Games. An additional multi-million-pound investment has also

been secured for upgrading public sporting facilities, alongside funding for city activation projects across the city.

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 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 anddedication 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: ‘The 2026 Games are an opportunity to set out a new blueprint for the future of sustainable, accessible Commonwealth sport – and it should come as no surprise that the organisers believe Glasgow is the place they can make that happen.

‘Our city has a track record that is second to none when it comes to staging major events – and, in particular, working with organisers to make sure new competitions and formats get off to the best possible start.

‘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.’

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Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 206, Glasogw