Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games generated £223m economic boost for Scotland

The recent Commonwealth Games generated a gross output of £233 million in economic activity across Scotland, according to a report.

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Impact Evaluation says the competition generated a £158.6 million boost for the Glasgow region alone, with the remainder added throughout the rest of the country.

It also found around a million people in Scotland attended the games live, and 510 million watched them around the world.

Some 2,749 athletes across the 74 Commonwealth nations took part in 10 sports and six para-sports.

Over the 11-day period, six world records were set and 152 Commonwealth Games records were made.

During 11 days of action, 152 games records and six world records were set.

The overall cost of the games was less than £160 million, according to the report.

The report found that community activity linked to the games reached all Scotland’s local authorities.

Jodie Waite, Robyn Love, Lea Smith and Kayli English of Scotland after defeat in the Women’s 3×3 wheelchair basketball gold medal match at the 2026 Commonwealth Games PA Media

The games also supported 2,400 full-time equivalent years of employment, with 82 students securing games-time roles.

Phil Batty, chief executive of Glasgow 2026, said: “Glasgow showed what can happen when you build a games around the strengths of a place and the people who make it special.

“This report provides the evidence that we delivered great sport and a proud Glasgow welcome, while creating opportunities for people across Scotland to be part of something altogether brilliant.

“Our ambition was for a more sustainable games. Our thanks go to the workforce and volunteer legends, partners, and the communities who brought their own creativity and energy to the celebration.

“We are proud of what we achieved in Scotland on behalf of the whole Commonwealth. By sharing both our successes and the lessons learned, we have left a valuable legacy. This will inform and strengthen future editions of the Commonwealth Games.”

Phil Batty, chief executive of Glasgow 2026 PA Media

Robyn Love, Team Scotland 3×3 wheelchair basketball player/coach and Glasgow 2026 silver medallist, added: “To come away with a silver medal at a home games was the stuff of dreams.

“Glasgow 2026 will live with me for the rest of my life. I’ll never forget the noise of the Scottish crowd when we won the semi-final, and to have my little girl there in the stands capped it all.

“I hope the visibility that the Commonwealth Games gives, particularly to para sport, means others may find and benefit from sport earlier than I did, and that the inspiration provided by Glasgow 2026 lives long into the future.”