The 2026 Commonwealth Games are underway in Glasgow, Scotland, after the city stepped in for the Australian state of Victoria. Australia, the most successful nation in Games history, aims to replicate past success despite a pared-back edition.
When and Where Are the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
The Games run from 24 July to 2 August in Glasgow. The opening ceremony is at 5am AEST on Friday 24 July at the Hydro indoor arena. Bowls and para bowls start earlier that day. King Charles and Queen Camilla will attend, along with mascot Finnie, a sparkling unicorn homage to Scotland's national animal.
More than 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories compete for 215 medals. It is Glasgow's second time hosting and Scotland's fourth, but this edition is scaled down after Australia's withdrawal three years ago.
Why Isn't Victoria Hosting?
Victoria withdrew in mid-2023 citing cost blowout from $2.6bn to as much as $7bn. Then premier Daniel Andrews said he was "simply not going to invest that sort of money … in order to deliver a 12-day sporting event". The Commonwealth Games Federation called it "hugely disappointing". Australia offered a "multimillion-pound commitment" to save the event, and the CGF offered Scotland almost $200m from Victoria's $380m compensation. Athletes stay in pre-existing accommodation; venues from 2014 are reused: athletics at Scotstoun, swimming at Tollcross, track cycling at Sir Chris Hoy velodrome, indoor sports at Scottish Events campus.
How to Watch from Australia
The Games are free to watch on Seven and 7mate, and streamed on 7plus. The Guardian provides daily coverage from Glasgow.
Sports on the Schedule
Ten sports and six para sports: athletics and para athletics; swimming and para swimming; 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball; artistic gymnastics; bowls and para bowls; boxing; judo; netball; para powerlifting; track cycling and para track cycling; and weightlifting. Rugby sevens, hockey, cricket, badminton, beach volleyball, diving, non-track cycling, rhythmic gymnastics, squash and table tennis were axed.
Australia's Medal Chances and Key Athletes
Australia is the most successful nation in Commonwealth Games history and hopes to top the table again. Swimming starts 24 July, but medal hopes are blighted by Kaylee McKeown's withdrawal due to glandular fever and Olympic champion Mollie O'Callaghan carrying spinal fractures. O'Callaghan is entered in the 100m and 200m freestyle, 50m backstroke, and relays, but her schedule may change. Seven-time gold medallist Kyle Chalmers defends his 100m freestyle title; Sam Short is a favourite in 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle.
In athletics (starting 27 July), watch Nina Kennedy and Kurtis Marschall in pole vault defending 2022 titles, and Eddie Nketia making his Australian debut in 100m heats on 27 July. Australian men's 1500m record-holder Cameron Myers hopes to make history with the mile distance returning after 60 years. The mile finals are 1 August. Australia are the team to beat in netball, with final on 2 August. In track cycling, Australia may face English defector Matthew Richardson in men's sprint; semi-finals and final on 2 August.
How Australia Fared at the Last Games
At Birmingham 2022, Australia won 67 gold medals (11 ahead of England) and 178 total medals. Australia has topped the table every Games since 1990 except Glasgow 2014. Australia has won 1,001 medals since 1930, more than any other nation.
