A giant flying dragon soared over Glasgow's skyline on July 22, ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. The hyper-realistic dragon, modelled on Syrax from HBO's House of the Dragon, swept over the River Clyde and past landmarks including the SEC Armadillo and the OVO Hydro.
Stunt Marks Start of Commonwealth Games
The dramatic stunt was staged to mark the start of the Commonwealth Games, which begin on July 23 and will be streamed live on HBO Max in the UK and Ireland, with coverage from TNT Sports. The eight-metre dragon is the largest flying dragon model ever created and was previously spotted flying over the Tower of London.
Construction and Design
Built using 3D scans from the television series, it is an exact replica of Syrax, the dragon ridden by Rhaenyra Targaryen. Despite its size, the dragon weighs just 13kg and is powered by intricate impellers hidden inside its legs. Its realistic appearance comes from a carbon fibre and aluminium frame wrapped in lightweight foam and finished with hand-painted detailing. More than 20 moving parts, including its wings, head and tail, allow the dragon to mimic lifelike movements as it glides through the air.
Bringing Fantasy and Sport Together
The spectacle was designed to bring together the worlds of fantasy and sport, celebrating both the return of House of the Dragon and the arrival of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. The Syrax took flight to check the city was ready to welcome athletes and fans from across the Commonwealth. HBO Max is the exclusive streaming destination of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in the UK and Ireland.
Early Morning Flight
Syrax took flight in the early hours of the morning, with only commuters and early risers catching a glimpse of the dragon in the sky. Many social media users questioned if the Syrax was AI, due to how real the dragon looks, but it is made from depron foam, carbon fibre and aluminium. The model took over 3,000 hours and a specialist team of 14 people to create.
Opening Ceremony
The Commonwealth Games opening ceremony will take place on Thursday (July 23) at Glasgow's OVO Hydro. Tom Walker, KT Tunstall, Callum Beattie, Nina Nesbitt, Valtos, Nathan Evans and Saint PHNX will all perform at the ceremony.
