In context: 2026 Commonwealth Games

Glasgow has agreed to host a scaled-down version of the event

How did we get here?

In July 2023, the Australian state of Victoria pulled out of its hosting duties due to “financial reasons”, leaving the 2026 Commonwealth Games hanging in the balance.

Shortly after, then first minister Humza Yousaf expressed interest in Scotland hosting part of the games. “It may be difficult but let’s see what the art of the possible is,” he said.

The proposal for Glasgow to host a scaled-down version of the games, 12 years after the city held the event for the last time, was published earlier this year. However, the financial and reputational risk linked to the event meant it was not certain the city would host the games.

But following talks and a funding boost from Commonwealth Games Australia, the Scottish Government has now backed a proposal for the event to return to Scotland’s biggest city. 

What will the Glasgow games look like?

The 2026 event will be significantly scaled down compared to prior incarnations. It will have 10 to 13 core sports, down from 18 at Glasgow 2014. It has not yet been confirmed which sports will be cut.

The multi-sport event will use “existing venues and accommodation options” and there will be no dedicated athletes’ village. It is understood that the athletic and swimming events will take place at Scotstoun Stadium and Tollcross International Swimming Centre, respectively.

The opening and closing ceremonies will also be far smaller affairs.

Health secretary Neil Gray said the “reimagined model” would help to inform future games and “enable the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to encourage hosts for 2030 and beyond.”

What’s the row over the funding?

Commonwealth Games Scotland said the games would cost £114m, with a contingency of £25m, but added that most of it would be covered by the £100m compensation cash given by the Victoria government when it pulled out of its hosting duties, with the remaining funds to come from private investment such as sponsorship, merchandising and ticket sales.

Security costs had put Glasgow’s hosting in doubt as both the UK and Scottish governments are significantly short of cash.

Gray told the UK Government that the Scottish Government could not agree to host the games unless that risk was “completely underwritten” by the UK Government. 

In response, the UK Government said it would provide an additional £2.3m in contingency funding but added there was “a strong preference” for the Scottish Government to match the figure as it believed there was no justification for the UK Government to fully underwrite the financial risk.

Neither side seemed to be giving in. However, Commonwealth Games Australia has now offered “a multi-million-pound investment” to help the deal go forward. The organisation committed to providing part of the compensation it received from the cancelled games in Victoria.

The CGF also provided a further £20m in funding to deliver the competition, including a £5m investment for Glasgow City Council to carry out upgrades and a cultural programme.

Announcing the proposal for the 2026 games, the Scottish Government confirmed the event would not require any public funding and the government would not provide any financial underwriting.

Will Glasgow be prepared in time?

That was one of the key doubts that had been holding Scotland back from agreeing to host the event. With less than two years until the event begins, there were concerns that there would not be enough time to organise a successful competition.   

Ministers also worried that hosting a poor-quality games would damage Scotland’s reputation for holding international events, while some said that the scaled-down concept would bring an unfavourable comparison to the 2014 games, which enjoyed a positive legacy.

What have politicians been saying?

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said it would give Glasgow a “shot in the arm” and help “restart” the city’s economy.

Scottish Conservative health spokesperson Sandesh Gulhane warned that Glasgow city centre’s“disgraceful condition” would need “to change fast” so visitors are not faced with its “rundown state”.

Gray said Glasgow will deliver a “world-class” sporting event that will be a “celebration of brand Scotland”.

And, during FMQs, First Minister John Swinney welcomed the 2026 Commonwealth Games, adding it was a “very visual signal of the opportunities to lead a healthy and active lifestyle”.