TNT Sports has acquired the exclusive UK live broadcast rights for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, marking the first time since 1954 that the event will not air on the BBC. The BBC's offer was reportedly outbid by Warner Bros Discovery, TNT's parent company, as the Commonwealth Games prioritised a larger financial deal over the wider audience reach of terrestrial television.
TNT Sports will broadcast 600 hours of coverage from the 11-day event and is exploring options to make some content free-to-air, following a model used for the Paris Olympics where live coverage was available to streaming subscribers for £3.99. The deal also includes rights for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, with the latter to be shared with the BBC.
The decision by Commonwealth Sport to prioritise revenue reflects its financial challenges, particularly after Glasgow stepped in as a last-minute host following Australia's withdrawal. The event has been scaled down, with £100m in funding from the original host, Victoria, still supporting the Games. Despite the BBC's offer, it has openly prioritised other sports, recently acquiring rights to Bundesliga football, the Women's Champions League, and home nations' World Cup qualifiers.
Katie Sadleir, chief executive of Commonwealth Sport, hailed the partnership as a 'landmark moment' that secures the movement's future, citing the recent award of the 2030 Games to Ahmedabad, India, and strong interest for 2034. The long-term viability of the Games remains uncertain amid declining interest from broadcasters and athletes, but the India deal provides a timely boost.
