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Your complete guide to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026
Everything you need to know as the Commonwealth Games comes to Glasgow this year
Over the years, the Commonwealth Games have produced some truly special sporting occasions. From historic victories to record-breaking performances, the event has consistently showcased the very best athletes from across the Commonwealth.
As recently as the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022, we were inspired by the Jamaican Netball Team earning their way to a final with an incredible semi-final against New Zealand. David vs Goliath had nothing on the Sunshine girls beating one of the most successful netball nations in the world.
And it was at the Commonwealth Games that Roger Bannister took on John Landy in the ‘miracle mile’, both achieving sub-four-minute miles for the first time in history in the very same race.
The human stories that go alongside the sporting victories are just as impressive. Take Adam Peaty for example, coming back from a broken foot in just 10 weeks to compete in Birmingham.
Or Sabina Chebichi, who competed in the 1973 Commonwealth Games in a skirt, prompting the Kenyan Athletics Association to look at how they fund female athletes. Given the success of Kenyan Athletics since, the rest, as they say, is history.
The 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games promise even more special moments. They’ll kick off on 23 July and finish on 2 August, fitting in 10 different sporting competitions over the 11 days.
If you want to attend and enjoy the exhilarating atmosphere that surrounds 3,000 athletes from 74 different nations and territories competing for 200 medals, you’ll be able to enjoy watching them in iconic venues like the SEC. There’s also a fully integrated para sport programme, offering a more comprehensive and exciting experience than ever before.
2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games events:
3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball
3×3 basketball made its debut at the 2022 games and it was a real hit. An even faster paced version of the traditional game, it takes place from 24-29 July at the renowned SEC venue. Lights, music, lasers and a 12-second shot clock – the ultimate combo. Home fans will be able to cheer on Scotland in both basketball and wheelchair basketball, but there’ll be stiff competition from Canada, who won both women’s finals last time around. Tickets start at £17 for adults and £12 for concessions.
Artistic Gymnastics
Traditionally, Artistic Gymnastics has been a favourite of the host nation men’s team who are no strangers to the podium, but Games ambassador Jake Jarman is one of the driving forces of England’s success with Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games under his belt. There’ll be stiff competition all around though, with ones to watch including Team Wales superstar Ruby Evans and Australia’s Georgia Godwin. It’ll be played out from 24-28 July at The Arena, with tickets starting at £26 for adults and £20 for concessions.
Athletics & Para Athletics
This iconic event has been a cornerstone of the Games since they started in 1930. There’s a nod to the historic importance of the event with Commonwealth Mile returning to the lineup in Glasgow for the first time since 1966. Para Athletics has featured since 2002.
Team Scotland will be grateful for the home voice at the Scotstound Stadium from the 27 July to Super Saturday on 1 August. There will be plenty of exciting Scottish athletes on show too, including medal hopes Jake Wightman and Josh Kerr (1500m), and Commonwealth Games record holder Eilish McColgan. Tickets start at £26 for adults and £20 for concessions.
Boxing
Glasgow marks the first ever Commonwealth Games to feature the same number of weight classes for men and women which is fitting considering that Glasgow 2014 was the first ever Games to feature women’s boxing.
Bouts are fought over three rounds, lasting three minutes each with a one-minute breather between. Scotland have an impressive record to defend. They have won a boxing medal at every Games since they began. Fingers crossed there’ll be some new characters who make a name for themselves like “The Mailman” Charlie Flynn who gained somewhat of a cult following at the 2014 Glasgow Games.
Taking place from the 24 July-1 August at the SEC, tickets start at £17 for adults and £12 for concessions.
Bowls and Para Bowls
The para bowls in 2022 made history for an interesting reason – George Miller made his Commonwealth Games debut as director of visually impaired bowler Melanie Inness in the Mixed B2/B3 Pairs. And when they won 16-9 in the final, he became the oldest gold medal winner ever at the age of 75.
The 2026 Games will start on the 24 July and continue to 2 August at the SEC. Tickets start at £17 for adults and £13 concessions.
Judo
Every session of Judo from 31 July to 2 August will be a medal session guaranteeing an incredible atmosphere at the SEC venue. It’ll also be where the very last medal of the Games is awarded. Team England have been the most successful nation in the competition, winning 55 medals in total across the past four events, 33 of which have been gold. Tickets start at £17 for adults and £12 for concessions.
Netball
Netball has consistently been a crowd favourite at the Games, and for good reason. Some of the very most iconic Commonwealth Games moments have been played off on the courts and it’s largely due to the high-quality players who come and compete every four years. There’s also an incredibly positive and exciting atmosphere that makes it a great family day out.
Scotland made their debut in 2014 and have somehow finished ninth in every Games since. This time they’ll be in a pool with New Zealand, Jamaica, Wales, Uganda, and Trinidad and Tobago. New Zealand and Australia had previously taken every gold medal back with them until England managed a shock gold on the Gold Coast in 2018 – they’ll be looking to do the same again this time around.
On Sunday 2 August, at The Hydro, there’ll be an exciting finals day with the gold and bronze medal matches taking place across two sessions. If you can’t make the finals day, the netball fixtures will start on the 25 July. Tickets start at £17 for adults and £13 for concessions.
Swimming & Para Swimming
2026 brings the largest ever swimming programme at a Commonwealth Games. For the first time, we’ll get to watch the women’s 1500m and the men’s 800m Freestyle.
It’s a cemented and essential part of the Para Games, having made its debut back in 2002. Whilst Australia are a dominant force, winning 65 medals at the 2022 games, it’s also a sport in which Scotland are no stranger to success. Last time around, they won 12 medals in total with two of them Golds. Excitingly, Scotland’s record Games medal winner Duncan Scott will be competing in Glasgow.
It’ll start on 24 July at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre and finish on 29 July. Tickets start at £26 for adults and £20 for concessions.
Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling
Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling will take place from 30 July to 2 August at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, where fans can experience the unique atmosphere of racing. (Warning – it can get warm in there, as this helps the cyclists to ride faster!)
Australia leads the all-time Commonwealth Games cycling medal table with 251 medals in the event, however it’ll be a big event for the Scotland para team who are the most successful para team over the history of the Games. Tickets start from £26 for adults and £20 for concessions
Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting
Weightlifting and para powerlifting will be held at the SEC Armadillo, with para powerlifting taking place on 24 of July and weightlifting running from 26-30 of July.
This is an event which truly reflected the spirit of the Games when, back in 2014 at the Glasgow Games, David Satua of Kiribati won his nation’s first-ever Commonwealth Games medal, taking gold in weightlifting.
This time around, fans can look out for Games ambassador Emily Campbell who will be competing for gold, while Finlay Davidson has been confirmed as Scotland’s first para powerlifting athlete. Tickets start from £26 for adults and £20 for concessions.
Find Commonwealth Games tickets here
Header photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
