Scottish Government Strikes Deal To Host 'Scaled-Down' 2026 Commonwealth Games In Glasgow

The 2026 Games will be scaled down, featuring only 10 sporting events compared to the 17 events held at the 2022 Birmingham Games.

Scotland's Glasgow has officially stepped in to host 2026 Commonwealth Games after Australian state of Victoria withdrew due to rising costs, The Guardian reported. This will be a return for the Scottish city, which last hosted the Games successfully in 2014.

Six of the last seven editions of the Commonwealth Games have been hosted in either Great Britain (which includes Scotland, England, and Wales) or Australia.

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Victoria, Australia, was originally chosen to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, receiving the traditional torch at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Birmingham Games. However, the Victorian government later withdrew, citing financial constraints, which left the event without a host until Glasgow stepped forward to take on the responsibility.

Glasgow agreed to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games with support from the Scottish Government. The 2026 Games will be scaled down, featuring only 10 sporting events compared to the 17 events held at the 2022 Birmingham Games.

Gray said: "The fact that Glasgow was asked to step in and host the 2026 Games is testament to Glasgow and Scotland’s fantastic reputation for hosting international events. That said, we have been clear that our financial resources are limited."

“This is good news for the Commonwealth Games and another opportunity for Glasgow to demonstrate yet again its ability to put on fantastic sporting events."

Ian Reid, the chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said:

“We have been clear from the outset that our Games concept for Glasgow 2026 aligns with the CGF’s strategy to make the Games more accessible for future hosts, whilst ensuring that public funds are not required."

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Reid said Glasgow was "one of the few cities in the Commonwealth that can deliver on time given its world-class facilities, experienced workforce and strong supply chain".