The BBC will not broadcast the Commonwealth Games for the first time since 1954 after losing the UK live rights to TNT Sports for the 2026 event in Glasgow. TNT Sports, owned by Warner Bros Discovery, secured the rights with a larger financial offer, outbidding the BBC which had held the coverage for 72 years.
TNT Sports plans to broadcast 600 hours of the 11-day competition and is exploring options to make some coverage free-to-air, similar to its model for the Paris Olympics where live streaming was available for £3.99. The broadcaster also holds UK rights for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
The decision by Commonwealth Sport to prioritise revenue over audience reach reflects its financial difficulties. The Glasgow Games were a last-minute replacement after Australia withdrew, with £100m in funding still coming from the original host state of Victoria. The event has been scaled down, but financial margins remain tight.
The BBC, which did make an offer, has been open about prioritising other sports that attract larger audiences, such as Bundesliga football, the Women’s Champions League, and home nation World Cup qualifiers. It retains Six Nations rugby and Champions League highlights.
The long-term future of the Commonwealth Games has been uncertain, but a boost came with the announcement that Ahmedabad, India, will host the 2030 edition. Katie Sadleir, chief executive of Commonwealth Sport, said: 'With a heavyweight broadcast partner like Warner Bros Discovery on board across the UK and Europe for Glasgow 2026 and the recent decision to award the 2030 Commonwealth Games to India, alongside strong interest for 2034, the future of our movement has never been more secure.'
