After 12 years, one of the world’s oldest multi-sport events is returning to Scotland, marking the second time that the country’s largest city has hosted the iconic event, now featuring its most condensed schedule since 1994.
The low number of sports did not affect the number of nations participating in the Games, as theit 23rd edition will see a record 74 Commonwealth Games Associations participate, including Gabon and Togo, who are making their debut.
The decrease in disciplines is mainly due to the fact that Glasgow only agreed to host the Games three years ago after Victoria, Australia’s sole remaining bidder, withdrew its bid at the last moment. The Scottish relied on existing venues and facilities to host the Games, which led to a reduction in the number of sports from 20 to 10.
The following will be included in the programme: 3×3 basketball (including wheelchair 3×3 basketball), artistic gymnastics, athletics (including para-athletics), bowls (and para-bowls), boxing, track cycling (and para-track cycling), judo, netball, swimming (and para swimming), weightlifting (and para-powerlifting).
Despite the many challenges however, Glasgow’s stadiums and venues will host star-studded events, particularly in athletics.
The biggest names in women’s track cycling are Paris 2024 champions Emma Finucane (Wales), Sophie Capewell (England) and Ellesse Andrews (New Zealand).
Adam Peaty, not quite as dominant as he was 10 years ago but still one of the world’s best swimmers, will be chasing his fifth Commonwealth gold medal in Scotland. Meanwhile, London 2012 champion and 18-time Commonwealth medallist Chad le Clos of South Africa is set to make history. He needs only one more medal to become the most decorated male athlete in Commonwealth Games history.
The 18-year-old Filip Nowacki, the reigning junior world champion in the 100m breaststroke, could bring Jersey its first Commonwealth Games medal since Auckland in 1990. Meanwhile, Australia’s swimming squad will include five Olympic gold medallists: Mollie O’Callaghan, Cameron McEvoy, Zac Stubblety-Cook, Kyle Chalmers and Lani Pallister.
In para-powerlifting, Paralympic champions Bonnie Bunyau Gustin (Malaysia) and Folashade Oluwafemiayo (Nigeria) will be in action. England’s Emily Campbell will attempt to retain her Commonwealth weightlifting title, competing this time in the women’s superheavyweight category. Another star competing in weightlifting is Australia’s four-time World medallist Eileen Cikamatana.
One of the best judokas in the women’s 70 kg category, Australia’s Aoife Coughlan will be hunting her second Commonwealth Games gold medal.
In gymnastics, Northern Ireland’s Rhys McClenaghan will return to action after winning a gold medal in the pommel horse at the Paris 2024 Olympics, representing the Republic of Ireland. India’s triple world champion boxer, Lovlina Borgohain, will be chasing her first Commonwealth medal after winning an Olympic bronze in Tokyo.
To mark the opening of the Games, a spectacular artwork titled ‘The Glasgow Rose’ has been unveiled, transforming the city’s iconic Finnieston Crane. Created by Glasgow artist Emer Tumilty in collaboration with the creative studio NEWSUBSTANCE, the giant installation suspended high above the River Clyde brings together the city’s industrial heritage and artistic legacy. It offers a contemporary interpretation of the famous roses designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh.
“This is far more than a spectacular artwork. It is the coming together of two of Glasgow’s greatest icons,” said Phil Batty, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2026. “The Finnieston Crane tells the story of the city that built the world. The Mackintosh rose tells the story of the city that inspired the world. Together they create a powerful symbol of the Glasgow we are welcoming people to today – creative, confident, bold and proudly looking to the future.”
The artwork will remain visible throughout the Games as part of the Glasgow 2026 Festival. Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life, added that the installation demonstrates the city’s strong reputation for hosting international major events that “seamlessly blend sport and culture”.
Alongside the athletic preparations, the host city has also been making history in environmental conservation. Coinciding with the arrival of the King’s Baton Relay, the Commonwealth ‘Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign’ hit a major milestone just two days before the opening ceremony by removing one million pieces of plastic from waterways worldwide.
Former Team Scotland cyclist and Glasgow 2014 silver medallist Charline Jones led a group of over 50 volunteers in kayaks and paddle boards to conduct a final plastic pick-up on the River Clyde.
“The Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics campaign is a fantastic way to bring the Commonwealth together for a common cause and show the power of people working together to achieve this milestone today,” Jones stated. “It gives the King’s Baton Relay extra meaning and seeing the enthusiasm of the volunteers today really shows the appetite in and around Glasgow to look after our waterways for future generations.”
The year-long initiative, run in partnership with the Royal Commonwealth Society, spanned the globe alongside the King’s Baton Relay, culminating in Glasgow as the city officially opens its doors to the world.