The opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place at The OVO Hydro in Glasgow on July 23, 2026. In the UK, Channel 5 has secured free-to-air television rights and will broadcast the entire ceremony live from 8pm without a subscription.
Broadcasting rights shift from BBC
This year marks a historic shift as the BBC lost coverage of the Games for the first time since the 1950s. TNT Sports won the live broadcasting rights for the 11-day event, promising around 600 hours of real-time action. TNT Sports is the primary domestic rights holder, covering the Games across its television channels and the HBO Max streaming service, available for £4.99 per month.
Build-up and alternative viewing
On TNT Sports and HBO Max, a build-up show starts at 6:30pm, leading into the main event at 8pm. Radio station talkSPORT will provide live commentary over the 11 days, with former gold medallists Greg Rutherford and Christine Ohuruogu among its coverage team. In Scotland, BBC ALBA will broadcast the entire opening ceremony free-to-air with Gaelic-language commentary. International viewers in Canada can watch on CBC television and the CBC Gem streaming platform, with coverage starting at 2:30pm.
Highlights and catch-up
Channel 5 will provide daily evening highlights hosted by Jeanette Kwakye, and unmissable moments will also be uploaded to the Channel 5 Sport YouTube channel.
