The 2026 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXIII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Glasgow 2026, is an ongoing multi-sport event being held from 23 July to 2 August 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. This is the fourth Commonwealth Games to be hosted in Scotland, following the 1970 and 1986 games in Edinburgh, and the 2014 Games in Glasgow.
๐๏ธ Host Selection
For some time, the Games were without a host after the bid from Victoria, Australia for the 2026 Commonwealth Games was withdrawn. On 18 July 2023, the Victorian state government cancelled its plans due to escalating cost projections.
On 17 September 2024, it was announced that the Scottish Government had agreed to host the games with financial backing from Commonwealth Games Australia. The scaled-down and low-cost Games will feature 10 sports taking place over seven venues and no athletes’ village.
๐ The King’s Baton Relay
The King’s Baton was officially launched on 10 March 2025, with King Charles III unveiling the plaque and handing over the baton to the first runner, Sir Chris Hoy. A new format was introduced where each of the 74 Commonwealth Games Associations received an individual baton crafted in Glasgow.
The King’s Baton Relay culminated at the Opening Ceremony of Glasgow 2026 on 23 July 2026. Commonwealth Sport partnered with the Royal Commonwealth Society to integrate the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign into the relay.
๐ญ Ceremonies
The opening ceremony took place on 23 July 2026 at the OVO Hydro, the first time in the Gamesโ 96-year history that a ceremony was held in an indoor venue. Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall headlined the ceremony, with performances by Callum Beattie, Nina Nesbitt, Nathan Evans and Saint Phnx.
The closing ceremony will take place at the OVO Hydro on 2 August 2026, headlined by Scottish rock band Simple Minds. The scheduled formal handover to the next 2030 Commonwealth Games host city Amdavad will feature performances by Shankar Mahadevan and Rashmika Mandanna.
๐ Participating Nations
All 74 Commonwealth Games Associations are expected to participate in the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Gabon and Togo are expected to make their debuts since joining the Commonwealth of Nations in June 2022.
| Event | Date | Location | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Ceremony | 23 July 2026 | OVO Hydro | First indoor ceremony in Games history |
| Games Duration | 23 July – 2 August 2026 | Glasgow, Scotland | 10 sports, 7 venues |
| King’s Baton Launch | 10 March 2025 | Glasgow | 74 individual batons created |
| Closing Ceremony | 2 August 2026 | OVO Hydro | Headlined by Simple Minds |