Commonwealth Games

July 23, 2026, 4:58 am

July 23, 2026, 12:01 pm

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will use the 2014 thistle mascot Clyde and feature swimmer Duncan Scott.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are starting, following the FIFA World Cup.

The road to the 2026 Commonwealth Games has been rocky.

When do the Glasgow Commonwealth Games start?

The 2026 Commonwealth Games start on July 23 and end on August 2.

The first event is on Day Zero, with an extra session of bowls and para bowls due to high demand.

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The opening ceremony will be on July 24 from 5 am AEST.

Nina Kennedy will be Australia's flag-bearer, and Tim Hodge will carry the King's baton.

Most competition days will start at 5:30 pm AEST and end after 7 am the next day.

ABC Sport will live blog every day of the Games.

The Games were initially supposed to be in Victoria.

Yes, they were supposed to be in Victoria.

It was a tough year for then-Victorian premier Daniel Andrews.

Regional centers in Victoria initially campaigned to host the 2030 Games.

In 2022, it was announced that the Commonwealth Games would come to Victoria in 2026.

Then-premier Daniel Andrews announced the success of the bid in Ballarat.

Andrews said the Games would bring jobs and income to the regions.

Criticism of the decision mounted, and costs increased over time.

In July 2023, the Victorian government announced it was pulling out of hosting the Games.

The cost was initially $2.6 billion but increased to $6 billion.

The Victorian government paid $380 million in compensation to the Commonwealth Games Federation.

In September 2024, Glasgow was announced as the new host of the 2026 Games.

The planning time was short, so the number of sports was reduced.

What sports will be played at the Glasgow 2026 Games?

Glasgow will host the Games with 10 sports, down from over 20 in the 2022 Games.

Hockey, diving, and other sports were cut from the program.

Where will the events be held?

The Hydro will host netball and the opening ceremony.

Events will be in existing venues along the River Clyde.

Swimming will be at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, and athletics will be at Scotstoun Stadium.

Glasgow International Arena will host track cycling and artistic gymnastics.

The Scottish Event Campus includes venues for weightlifting, basketball, and boxing.

Who is competing for Australia?

Australia is sending 255 athletes to compete in every sport.

The athletics team has 86 competitors, and the Dolphins have 59 swimmers.

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