The Commonwealth Games will return to Glasgow in 2026 for its 23rd edition. The mega-event is scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 2, as the city returns as the host after 12 years, following the 2014 edition.
Around 3000 athletes from 74 nations will take part in the Commonwealth Games 2026.
However, the size of the sports and events for the Glasgow games have been pruned to make it more budget-friendly. The total number of events at the Games will be nine fewer compared to the 2022 Birmingham edition. Key sports such as hockey, badminton, wrestling, cricket and shooting have been axed from the 2026 edition by the host city.
Table tennis, squash and triathlon have also been dropped from the roster in a bid to limit the cost and streamline logistics given that only four venues will host the entire showpiece.
Commonwealth Games 2026: Venues
Only four venues have been selected for the Games:
– Scotstoun Stadium
– Tollcross International Swimming Centre
– Commonwealth Arena/Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome
– Scottish Events Campus (SEC)
The venues have been selected to host the compulsory sports and smooth operations. It will be cost-effective as far as branding, security, and transportation is concerned.
List of sports dropped from Commonwealth Games 2026
- Hockey
- Cricket
- Badminton
- Wrestling
- Table tennis
- Diving
- Rugby sevens
- Beach volleyball
- Mountain biking
- Squash
- Rhythmic gymnastics
“While understanding the unique circumstances of the 2026 Games, and reassurances from the Commonwealth Games Federation that the decision does not set a precedent for future Games, the absence of rugby sevens, along with other team sports, at Glasgow 2026 is a significant loss for players, fans, and the Games themselves,” a spokesperson said.
On the other hand, athletics and swimming are included as compulsory sports for 2026, while the mega-event will also feature track cycling, gymnastics, netball, weightlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and 3×3 basketball.
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Commonwealth Games 2026: Sports Included
- 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
- 3×3 basketball and 3×3 wheelchair basketball
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) said that the Games will pump in over 100 million pounds of “inward investment into the city” and is expected to add an economic value of over 150 million pounds for the region.
