The Commonwealth Games set to take place in Glasgow in 2026 will feature a significantly slimmed-down version, with only 10 sports making the cut. Some established sports like diving, hockey, and squash have been axed from the roster, making way for a more concise programme from July 23 to August 2, 2026. This edition will be almost half the size of the Birmingham 2022 Games.
Athletics, swimming, track cycling, weightlifting, lawn bowls, and 3×3 basketball will be part of the event, along with their para equivalents. Artistic gymnastics, netball, boxing, and judo have also been included in the line-up. The decision to reduce the number of sports was a challenging one, according to Ian Reid, Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, who acknowledged that some sports would be disappointed by the final selection.
Among the sports that will not be featured in the 2026 Commonwealth Games are cricket, badminton, beach volleyball, mountain biking, rhythmic gymnastics, and table tennis. The absence of a diving facility in Glasgow led to the exclusion of diving, with hockey being another controversial omission. Squash, which has been part of the Games since 1998, lost its place despite being set to feature in the Olympics for the first time at LA 2028.
John Steele OBE, Chair of Commonwealth Games England, expressed both celebration and sympathy for sports and athletes not included in the Glasgow 2026 schedule. The Games will span four venues within an eight-mile corridor in Glasgow, with athletes and support staff accommodated in hotels. Notably, this new model for the Commonwealth Games has been designed to not require public funding for its delivery, focusing on collaboration, sustainability, and social impact.
CGF Chief Executive Katie Sadlier highlighted the 2026 Games as a step towards redefining the event for the future, aiming to minimise costs, reduce environmental impact, and increase the scope of countries capable of hosting. The Commonwealth Games Federation sees this as an exciting evolution towards a more collaborative and sustainable Games model. Glasgow has been confirmed as the host for the 2026 edition, with support from Commonwealth partners heralding a new era for the prestigious event.