The Commonwealth Games is a four‑yearly international multi‑sport event that brings together around 3,000 athletes from up to 74 Commonwealth Games Associations.
Glasgow hosted the 23rd edition from 23 July to 2 August 2026, with a streamlined 10‑sport programme and a record Para medal programme across six fully integrated Para sports.
First Minister John Swinney billed Glasgow 2026 as a “huge opportunity” with “huge economic benefits to the city” . First staged in 1930 in the city of Hamilton, Canada, as the British Empire Games , the event has evolved over nearly a century into one of the world’s largest international sporting festivals.
Read on for the latest Commonwealth Games news, Glasgow 2026 preparations, athlete interviews, venue updates and analysis of what the event means for Scotland.
Latest Commonwealth Games news
As reported by The Herald, here is a selection of the latest Commonwealth Games news stories.
Read more
'It stinks': BBC refuses to reveal complaints over Commonwealth Games coverage
Fancy an ice bath or a Hetty Hoover? Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games auction launches
Mark Stewart on finding joy in the journey, a surprise medal and riding for Hincapie
Commonwealth Games 2026 host city
The 2026 Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August.
A total of 74 nations and territories are set to compete across four sport venues: Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena and the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. Events will also be held at the Scottish Event Campus, including the Hydro, SEC Armadillo, and SEC Centre.
The 2026 games were originally set to be held in the Australian state of Victoria, but the government unexpectedly withdrew in July 2024 after costs hit £3.13 billion - more than double the £1.4bn budgeted.
Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games schedule
It was a more pared-back version of the 2014 event with just 10 sports on display down from the 17 showcased in 2014.
Full sport competition schedule for Glasgow 2026 revealed
Spectators watched record-breaking contests in 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball, artistic gymnastics, athletics and para athletics (track & field), bowls and para bowls, boxing, cycling track and para cycling track, judo, netball, swimming and para swimming, weightlifting and para powerlifting.
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games
The last time the Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow was in 2014, with Commonwealth Sport describing it as "one of the most successful Games ever" on its website.
Commonwealth Games countries
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 member states, with 74 Commonwealth Games Associations sending teams to the Games.
When the Games were first held in Hamilton in 1930, 11 countries sent 400 athletes .
The nations were Australia, Bermuda, British Guyana, Canada, England, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales.
At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, a total of 72 countries and territories participated.
Share