It’s not quite on the same level as the Olympics, but the 2026 Commonwealth Games is the next major multi-sport spectacle headed our way. After a close call when regional Victoria withdrew as host due to major funding issues, the future of the Games looked uncertain. But Glasgow has stepped in to save the day, officially taking over as the next host of the “Friendly Games”. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
When and where is the next Commonwealth Games?
After Victoria pulled out due to major funding issues, Glasgow in Scotland was announced as the official host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. At this stage, the dates haven't been confirmed, but the event is unlikely to be in March 2026, as initially planned. Team Scotland told Time Out: "The weather in Scotland can be temperamental at the best of times, but particularly so in March."
What is the Commonwealth Games?
Known as the “Friendly Games”, this international multi-sport event brings together thousands of athletes from more than 70 Commonwealth nations. The Games are celebrated for their focus on inclusivity, with para-sports incorporated into the main program.
What are the Commonwealth Games sports?
The scaled-back 2026 Commonwealth Games are expected to feature ten sports, which is significantly less than the 20 initially planned for Victoria. Athletics and swimming are the only compulsory events, with Glasgow given the freedom to select the eight or so remaining sports. In addition to popular choices like table tennis, cycling and hockey, the program may also include sports unique to the Commonwealth, including netball, lawn bowls, cricket and squash.
With a huge focus on inclusivity, the Commonwealth Games also integrates para-sports into the main program, with potential para-events for athletics, swimming, cycling, powerlifting, table tennis, lawn bowls and triathlon.
How often are the Commonwealth Games held?
Just like the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games are held every four years. Since the inaugural event in 1930, the Games have been hosted in Australia four times, including Sydney in 1938, Perth in 1962, Brisbane in 1982, Melbourne in 2006 and the Gold Coast in 2018.
How many countries are in the Commonwealth Games?
Unlike the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games only features athletes from Commonwealth nations or member states, including Australia, the UK, Canada, India, Scotland, Singapore, Jamaica and South Africa. While the Commonwealth of Nations consists of 56 countries, the Games also include several territories and dependencies, bringing the total to around 74 competing associations.
Why did Victoria cancel the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
In April 2022, it was announced that regional Victoria would host the 2026 Commonwealth Games across four hubs in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland. The Games were expected to inject more than $3 billion into Victoria’s economy and generate thousands of full-time jobs. However, in July 2023, premier Daniel Andrews revealed the predicted cost of the 12-day event had blown out from $2.6 billion to more than $7 billion, resulting in regional Victoria withdrawing as the 2026 host.
Instead, to make up for the loss of the event, more than $2 billion of that original funding will now be redirected to improving and upgrading facilities in Glasgow.