The Commonwealth Games are back for another edition, as some of the world’s top athletes converge on Glasgow. The multi-sport, Olympic-style event for members of the Commonwealth of Nations takes place every four years, with the last held in Birmingham in 2022. This year, the Games are held in Glasgow, the biggest city in Scotland, with 74 teams taking part. It will be the first Commonwealth Games since Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022, and the first with Ugandan Donald Rukare at the helm of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
When is the Commonwealth Games 2026?
This year’s event begins on Thursday, July 23, with the opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow. It will span a week and a half, closing on Sunday, August 2.
When is the Commonwealth Games 2026 opening ceremony?
The ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 23, and it will be the first Commonwealth Games opening ceremony to be held entirely indoors. Scottish singer KT Tunstall will headline the show, while other Scottish artists such as Callum Beattie, Nina Nesbitt and Nathan Evans will also feature. The Royal Family will be in attendance, while the Red Arrows will perform a flyover.
Which countries are competing at the Commonwealth Games 2026?
There will be 74 nations taking part this year. Unlike the Olympics, there is no ‘Team GB’. Instead, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland field their own separate teams. Gabon and Togo are making their debut after joining the Commonwealth in 2022. Other notable nations include Australia, Canada, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda.
Is Josh Kerr competing at the Commonwealth Games 2026?
Yes, fresh off smashing the mile world record at the recent London Diamond League meeting, Kerr will be representing the host nation. The 1500m runner, an Olympic silver and bronze medallist, ran a time of 3:42.66 for the mile last week, and will compete at the distance again, looking to claim a maiden Commonwealth title.
Is Keely Hodgkinson competing at the Commonwealth Games 2026?
No, Hodgkinson is one of the most high-profile omissions from the England squad. The 800m runner ruled herself out after pulling out of the UK Athletics Championships last month with “a little twinge”, and will instead focus on the European Championships in Birmingham in August.
Is Adam Peaty competing at the Commonwealth Games 2026?
Yes, swimmer Peaty will look to conquer the field in Glasgow. He already boasts four gold medals and three silvers at the Commonwealth Games, and will aim to add to that tally in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, and possibly the 4x100m medley relay.
Which other Brits are competing at the Commonwealth Games 2026?
Scotland’s star-studded lineup is headed by Kerr, joined by Jake Wightman (world champion over 1500m in 2022) in the mile, and Andrew Butchart in the 5000m and 10000m. Jemma Reekie, Laura Muir and Eilish McColgan are standout female middle and long-distance athletes, while judoka Sarah Adlington defends her Commonwealth title in the +78kg weight class. Eight-time Olympic medallist Duncan Scott is the hosts’ biggest hope in the pool.
For England, Louie Hinchcliffe and Zharnel Hughes race the men’s 100m and 200m respectively, while world 200m silver medallist Amy Hunt takes on the 100m on the women’s side. Georgia Hunter-Bell drops down to the 800m in Hodgkinson’s absence. Katarina Johnson-Thompson, winner of the last two Commonwealth heptathlons, hopes for a three-peat. Jamal Petgrave defends his title in the +90kg judo, while James Guy, Tom Dean and Luke Greenbank are medal hopes in the pool alongside Peaty.
Swimmer Daniel Wiffen is the leading light for Northern Ireland, while European bronze medallist Jeremiah Azu contests the 100m for Wales. Emma Finucane is the star in the velodrome for the Welsh, and Matt Richards competes in the 100m and 200m freestyle.
