Scotland Agrees to Host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow – News18

After much deliberation, the Scottish government has agreed to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The decision comes following Australian state Victoria opting out of hosting the esteemed Games last year due to ballooning costs.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games were due to be held in multiple cities across Victoria but the Australian state made a shock announcement in July 2023 that it was pulling out of the multi-sport event citing a steep rise in projected expenditure.

The Commonwealt Federation had previously said it was “hugely disappointed” by Victoria’s shock decision to pull out.

“We are disappointed that we were only given eight hours’ notice and that no consideration was given to discussing the situation to jointly find solutions prior to this decision being reached by the government,” organisers said in July of 2023.

Increasingly struggling for relevance — and with fewer countries interested in hosting the event — the long-term fate of the Games remained uncertain till now.

Scotland’s Health and Sport Minister Neil Gray held talks with Commonwealth Games Australia yesterday to discuss funding, and received the assurances the Scottish government were looking for.

The Scottish govt. has planned to host a “scaled-down version” of the event, featuring fewer sports and athletes, take place across four venues in the city, with athletics held at Scotstoun Stadium and swimming taking place at Tollcross, 12 years after it had hosted the Games.

It is now expected that the 2026 edition of the CWG will feature around 10 to 13 sports.

Ian Reid, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, shared his enthusiasm at the confirmation.

“We have been clear from the outset that our Games concept for Glasgow 2026 aligns with the CGF’s strategy to make the Games more accessible for future hosts, whilst ensuring that public funds are not required,” Reid stated.

“Glasgow is one of the few cities in the Commonwealth that can deliver on time given its world-class facilities, experienced workforce and strong supply chain.

“This is a really exciting opportunity and we will be working hard over the coming days to bring the final pieces of the puzzle together.”

The last Games, in 2022, were held in England after Birmingham stepped in at the last minute.

(with agency inputs)