The 2026 Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, are set to be one of the most scaled-back versions of the event in its history. Following Victoria’s sudden withdrawal as host, the Games were relocated to Scotland, leading to significant cuts in both the number of sports and venues, as organizers work to minimize costs and streamline the event. The 2026 Games will feature just 10 sports, a sharp reduction from the 19 sports featured in the Birmingham 2022 edition. Among the casualties are high-profile sports like hockey, rugby sevens, and cricket.
Major Cuts in Sporting Events
The decision to cut nine sports from the Commonwealth Games programme has stirred disappointment and debate across the sporting community. Rugby sevens, hockey, and cricket were among the most surprising exclusions. All three are highly popular, with strong Commonwealth traditions, but they were axed to accommodate budget constraints. These sports had brought significant attention and prestige to previous editions of the Games.
In particular, the exclusion of cricket is likely to raise eyebrows. Cricket had made a triumphant return to the Commonwealth Games in 2022 in Birmingham, with women’s T20 cricket being a major attraction. The decision to leave cricket out of the Glasgow programme will be seen as a significant loss, especially for Commonwealth nations like India, Australia, and England, where the sport enjoys immense popularity.
Rugby sevens also has a long-standing connection with the Commonwealth Games, having featured in the Games since 1998. The sport’s fast-paced, high-intensity format typically draws large crowds, and its exclusion marks a major shift in the sports offering at Glasgow 2026.
Hockey, another long-standing fixture in the Commonwealth Games since 1998, has been a crucial part of the competition, attracting global attention. Teams like Australia, New Zealand, and India have historically dominated, making it a beloved event for fans.
Other Sports Excluded from the Programme
Aside from these major sports, several others have also been dropped from the 2026 programme, including diving, badminton, beach volleyball, mountain biking, rhythmic gymnastics, squash, and table tennis. These sports have their own loyal followings, and their exclusion has disappointed many athletes and fans who were hoping to see them feature in the next edition of the Games.
Squash, for instance, has a deep history with the Commonwealth Games and has been one of the most competitive events, with countries like England, Australia, and Malaysia producing world-class players. Similarly, badminton has been a major highlight, particularly for countries such as India and Malaysia, who have consistently excelled in the sport.
The Chosen 10 Sports
The final programme for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will include athletics and swimming, which were the only two sports guaranteed a spot from the outset. These two events are traditionally considered the backbone of any multi-sport competition, attracting the largest number of participants and spectators. The inclusion of athletics and swimming ensures that the Games will still showcase top-tier performances from across the Commonwealth.
In addition to athletics and swimming, the following sports have been retained for 2026:
- Track cycling
- Weightlifting
- 3×3 basketball
- Lawn bowls
- Netball
- Artistic gymnastics
- Judo
- Boxing
These sports were selected for their cost-effectiveness and their ability to fit into the reduced number of venues. Notably, 3×3 basketball, a newer addition to international multi-sport events, has been retained, showing the growing popularity of this fast-paced version of basketball.
Lawn bowls, a traditional Commonwealth Games sport, has managed to survive the cuts, thanks to its relatively low cost of staging and its dedicated following within the Commonwealth, particularly in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Scotland.
Netball, which was at risk of being excluded, has also made it onto the final list. The sport has a strong following within the Commonwealth, especially in nations like Australia, New Zealand, England, and Jamaica, making it an important inclusion.
Venue and Accommodation Changes
As part of the cost-cutting measures, the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held across just four venues in Glasgow. The venues selected are:
- Scotstoun Stadium: Likely to host athletics events.
- Tollcross International Swimming Centre: The venue for all swimming events.
- Emirates Arena: Known for hosting cycling and indoor sports.
- Scottish Event Campus: A multi-use facility that can accommodate several indoor sports, including boxing and judo.
This decision to limit the Games to four venues is a significant departure from previous editions, where multiple cities and stadiums were involved. The compact nature of the event aims to keep costs manageable while still providing a quality experience for athletes and spectators.
Another cost-saving measure is the decision to forgo the traditional athletes’ village. Instead, athletes and their support staff will be housed in hotel accommodation around Glasgow. While this may be seen as a more pragmatic approach, it lacks the sense of community and camaraderie that often comes with athletes staying in a designated village. However, it underscores the financial realities that the organizers are facing in delivering the Games.
The Cost of Scaling Back
The decision to significantly reduce the size of the Commonwealth Games is primarily driven by economic factors. When Victoria, Australia, withdrew as the host of the 2026 Games, citing escalating costs, Glasgow stepped in to save the event. However, the reduced budget meant that difficult decisions had to be made regarding which sports to include and how the event would be structured.
The cuts to the programme have sparked debate among athletes, sports organizations, and fans. On one hand, the streamlined version of the Games is seen as necessary to ensure the event can go ahead without financial burden on the host nation. On the other hand, the exclusion of popular sports has raised concerns about the Commonwealth Games losing some of its appeal.
Future of the Commonwealth Games
The 2026 Commonwealth Games may set a precedent for future editions, particularly if the financial challenges faced by host cities continue. While the reduction in sports and venues is intended to make the event more sustainable, it also risks alienating fans and athletes who are passionate about the excluded sports.
As the Commonwealth Games Federation continues to reassess the structure and viability of the Games, it is clear that future hosts will need to strike a balance between cost management and maintaining the prestige and inclusivity of the event. The 2026 edition will be a test case for whether a smaller, more focused Commonwealth Games can still deliver the excitement and global attention that previous editions have achieved.
Conclusion
The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will be a significantly pared-down version of previous editions, featuring just 10 sports and four venues. While this approach has been taken to keep costs under control, it has resulted in the exclusion of several popular sports, including cricket, rugby sevens, and hockey. As the Commonwealth Games Federation works to make the event more sustainable, the future of the Games may see similar scaled-back versions, raising questions about the event’s long-term appeal and relevance.
