When and where are the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 24 July to 2 August. The opening ceremony takes place at 5am AEST on Friday 24 July at the Hydro indoor arena. Bowls and para bowls competitions start earlier that day. King Charles and Queen Camilla will attend the ceremony alongside the mascot Finnie, a sparkling unicorn representing Scotland's national animal.
More than 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories will compete for 215 medals across 10 sports and six para sports. This is the second time Glasgow has hosted the Games, and the fourth time in Scotland. However, the edition is scaled down after Australia's withdrawal three years ago.
Why isn't Victoria hosting the 2026 Games?
Victoria abruptly pulled out of hosting in mid-2023 due to a cost blowout from $2.6bn to as much as $7bn. Then premier Daniel Andrews said he was "simply not going to invest that sort of money … in order to deliver a 12-day sporting event", a decision the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) called "hugely disappointing". The Scottish government later agreed to a rescue deal for a smaller version after Australian authorities offered a "multimillion-pound commitment". The CGF provided Scotland with almost $200m from the $380m compensation owed by Victoria.
Instead of a traditional athletes' village, participants will stay in pre-existing accommodation. Venues from the 2014 Glasgow Games are reused: Scotstoun stadium for athletics, Tollcross for swimming, Sir Chris Hoy velodrome for track cycling, and the Scottish Events campus for indoor sports.
How can I watch the Commonwealth Games from Australia?
The Games will be broadcast free on Seven and 7mate, and streamed on 7plus. The Guardian will provide daily live coverage from 7pm AEST, with reporters on the ground in Glasgow offering news, features, and analysis.
What sports are in the Glasgow schedule?
Originally 22 sports were planned, but 12 were cut. The final program includes: athletics and para athletics; swimming and para swimming; 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball; artistic gymnastics; bowls and para bowls; boxing; judo; netball; para powerlifting; track cycling and para track cycling; and weightlifting. Rugby sevens, hockey, cricket, badminton, beach volleyball, diving, non-track cycling, rhythmic gymnastics, squash, and table tennis were axed.
What are Australia's medal chances and key athletes?
Australia is the most successful nation in Commonwealth Games history, topping the medal table at every edition since 1990 except Glasgow 2014. Swimming remains a strong event despite the late withdrawal of Kaylee McKeown due to glandular fever and Olympic champion Mollie O'Callaghan carrying spinal fractures. O'Callaghan is entered in the 100m and 200m freestyle and 50m backstroke, plus relays, but may adjust her schedule. Seven-time gold medallist Kyle Chalmers defends his 100m freestyle title, while Sam Short is a podium favourite in the 400m, 800m, and 1500m events.
In athletics (starting 27 July), watch for Nina Kennedy and Kurtis Marschall in pole vault, defending their 2022 titles. Eddie Nketia makes his Australian debut in the 100m heats on 27 July, with finals on 28 July. Australian men's 1500m record-holder Cameron Myers aims for history with the return of the mile distance after a 60-year absence. The mile finals are on 1 August, with Scotland's Josh Kerr (recent world record breaker) and Australia's Jess Hull (winner of the 3000m at the London Diamond League) among contenders. In netball, Australia is the team to beat, but England, New Zealand, and Jamaica will challenge; the final is on 2 August at 10pm AEST. Track cycling may see tension if Australia faces English defector Matthew Richardson in the men's sprint; semi-finals and final are on 2 August.
How did Australia perform at the last Commonwealth Games?
At Birmingham 2022, Australia had its "golden Games", winning 67 gold medals, 11 ahead of England and well ahead of Canada. Overall, Australia claimed 178 medals, two more than England. Australia has topped the medal table at every Games since 1990, except Glasgow 2014, and has won 1,001 medals since the first Games in 1930—more than any other nation.
