It has been confirmed that Glasgow will host the tumultuous 2026 Commonwealth Games, a scaled-down edition of the multisport competition.
When the original hosts, the Australian state of Victoria, withdrew last year due to growing costs, the 2026 Games’ survival was called into question.
However, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) declared on Tuesday that the 2014 hosts will host the next Games from July 23 to August 2, 2026, after the Scottish government essentially approved Glasgow last month.
Only 10 sports will be included in the Games, down from 19 at the 2022 competition in Birmingham, England.
With six parasports on the schedule, parasports will once more be fully included as “a key priority and point of difference for the Games.”
Athletics and parasports, swimming and paraswimming, artistic gymnastics, track and field, weightlifting and parapowerlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and parabowling, and wheelchair basketball and 3×3 basketball will all be included in the calendar.
Sports including triathlon, diving, hockey, T20 cricket, squash, badminton, and rugby sevens are among those that will not be featured at the 2022 Games.
Up to 74 Commonwealth countries and territories are anticipated to send about 3,000 athletes to compete.
According to the CGF, Glasgow will receive over $130 million in foreign investment by 2026.
“We are thrilled to formally confirm that Glasgow will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games on behalf of the entire Commonwealth sport movement,” said Katie Sadleir, chief executive of the CGF.
Although Australia and Britain have hosted five of the last six editions between them, Sadleir thinks a more condensed approach will expand the pool of possible hosts in the future.
Sadleir stated, “The 2026 Games will serve as a bridge to the Commonwealth Games of the future.”
“An exciting first step in our journey to reset and redefine the Games as a truly collaborative, flexible, and sustainable model for the future that will increase the number of countries that can host while minimizing costs, reducing the environmental footprint, and enhancing social impact.”
Ian Reid, the chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, stated that choosing which sports to include had not been simple.
“I believe that everyone understands that these events need to be lighter and more affordable. We would have loved to have all of our sports and athletes compete, but it’s just not feasible or affordable at this time,” he told the BBC.
However, he stated that the schedule might change for subsequent Games and might grow in scope according on the locations.
According to the CGF, Australia would cover a portion of the expenses following Victoria’s withdrawal, negating the need for public support to host the Glasgow Games.
Citing an estimated cost of over $4 billion, Victoria withdrew.
Originating from the British Empire Games, the Commonwealth Games are held every four years and are still mostly composed of nations and territories that were formerly under British imperial control.
