Dates, venues and sports tabled for 'scaled-down' Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Dates and venues for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow have been proposed after an agreement was reached on a funding plan for the event in September.

The Australian state of Victoria was initially named as host but pulled out last year, citing rising costs as its reason for withdrawing.

A deal was agreed for the city to hold the Games after Commonwealth Games Australia offered a multi-million-pound investment to ease fears about the financial risks involved in staging the multi-sport event.

According to the proposal, Glasgow will host what has been described as a “scaled-down” Games, cutting down the number of sports from 18 to ten and using existing facilities.

Commonwealth Games Scotland’s plan is to put on the best Games possible without the need for new infrastructure projects or huge expenses.

In a plan that goes before Glasgow City Council next Thursday, it has been proposed that the games consist of an 11-day event from July 23 to August 2.

It will also be recommended that the games feature athletics and swimming as mandatory sports, with fully integrated Paralympic competitions to feature also.

Commonwealth Games Scotland is finalising the remaining sports to be announced.

The games will be held at four venues across Glasgow, including Scotstoun Stadium for athletics, Tollcross International Swimming Centre for swimming, and the Emirates Arena and Velodrome for cycling.

The report also confirms that there will not be an athlete’s village, and competitors will be staying at existing accommodation in the city.

Sport

Why is Glasgow going to host the Commonwealth Games?

The multi-sport event is to return to Glasgow after agreement was reached on funding.

When the concept for the Games was initially unveiled in August, Commonwealth Games Scotland chair Ian Reid CBE said: “The Games will undoubtedly look and feel different to the historic events of 10 years ago. However, the circumstances facing us are remarkably different – the 2026 Games hang in the balance, and the UK finances are facing tough decisions.

“But the Games presents a real opportunity for Glasgow and Scotland, giving us the chance to bring wide-ranging benefits to the country and public purse.

“Scotland has been offered £100m+ of the Victorian Government’s money to secure the future of the Commonwealth Games. That is £100m+ of inward investment at a time when there are critical works needed in the city; that investment alone would account for 5% of the overall inward investment into Scotland over the past year.

“To potentially turn down such a significant sum of money, which only serves to boost the Glasgow and Scottish economies and has been deliberately created not to rely on the public purse at a time of economic uncertainty, is – in our opinion – short-sighted.

“We are confident of delivering a world-class sporting event to packed crowds in Glasgow, with some of the world’s sporting stars providing inspirational moments for the millions of spectators in Scotland, the UK and across the Commonwealth.”