Glasgow to host 2026 Commonwealth Games as Government agrees deal for city to land games for second time in 12 years

IT’S official: Glasgow will is set to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Scotland’s biggest city is stepping in after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew from the running – paying £190.5million to offload the responsibility.

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Alan MacGregor Ewing - The Sun Glasgow

The men’s bowls[/caption]

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And it’s been confirmed that Glasgow is to put on a scaled-down version of the games, just 12-years on from hosting the 2014 event.

We previously reported the broad outline of an agreement had been reached for Glasgow to take over, and now the Scottish Government has rubber stamped the move in a written statement to parliament.

And crucially it has been confirmed that NO public funding from the taxpayer will be required.

The 2014 Commonwealth Games was the largest sporting event ever held in Scotland.

But it will be a slimline games in 2026 – with 10 sports contested over an 11 day competition – the smallest for 30 years.

Athletics and swimming are two of the confirmed events but the remainder have yet to be confirmed.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “The Scottish Government has conducted a thorough assessment of Commonwealth Games Scotland’s proposal for Glasgow to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

“That assessment has been conducted alongside Commonwealth Games Scotland, the Commonwealth Games Federation, Glasgow City Council, the UK Government and, most recently, Commonwealth Games Australia.

“The collaboration has been extremely positive and productive and has resulted in the finalisation of a strong event proposal that will help to support a new future for the Commonwealth Games and deliver economic and sporting opportunity for Scotland.

“On that basis, I have written to the Commonwealth Games Scotland today to inform them that the Scottish Government will give its support for the proposal.

“Glasgow will deliver a world-class sporting event which will reimagine the Commonwealth Games for future generations to come and support more of our Commonwealth partners to be able to host future iterations of the event.

“In return, this proposal will bring economic benefit to businesses in Glasgow and Scotland and support a programme of capital upgrades to a number of existing venues in Glasgow to create an additional legacy for public sports facilities and local communities.

“The proposal will also ensure we retain the Commonwealth Games’s significant importance for Scottish sport.

“The Games allows our athletes to compete under their national flag, marks the pinnacle of sport for some Scottish Sports Governing Bodies and is a key influence in how Scottish performance funding is distributed.

“Glasgow 2014 provided a catalyst for success for many Scottish athletes, including those who won medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games; 25 of the 34 Scots on Team GB have competed for Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games, including six of the nine medallists.

“This reimagined model will help to inform future Games and enable the Commonwealth Games Federation to encourage hosts for 2030 and beyond.

“No public funding is required from the Scottish Government for the delivery of the event and the Scottish Government will not provide any financial underwriting.

“This has been clearly communicated in my letter to Commonwealth Games Scotland and will be included in the final legal documentation.

“The Commonwealth Games Federation will cover the majority of costs using money secured in a compensation negotiation with the Victorian Government following their withdrawal as hosts in July 2023.

“The Commonwealth Games Federation have provided a further £20m of funding to support delivery of the event and required contingency: this includes a £5 million investment for Glasgow City Council to utilise for capital upgrades and a cultural programme.

“The UK Government has agreed to provide a ringfenced contingency funding of up to £2.3m that can be accessed if existing budget funds and contingency have been exceeded and all efforts to reduce costs have been exhausted.

“An additional multi million pound investment has also now been accepted to support the Games to take place.

“The additional amount of funding and investment agreed since negotiations began is in excess of £24 million. That funding will be supplemented by commercial income from ticketing, sponsorship, hospitality and merchandising.

“The Commonwealth Games Scotland Board will now make a formal decision on whether to proceed. 

“If it decides to proceed, it will seek approval to host from the Commonwealth Games Federation and undertake final work with partners to ratify an agreement for Scotland to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.”

Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) has secured support from Scottish and UK
governments for its proposed plan for hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“In April, CGS revealed details of an innovative, cost-effective and sustainable concept for the Games that could see a scaled back, but high-quality Games being delivered without the need for public funding, utilising existing facilities in the city.

“Since then, CGS has further developed plans with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and other stakeholders – including both the Scottish and UK governments – to
ensure that the Commonwealth Games’ high standard of competition can be achieved within the designated budget.”

Ian Reid CBE, Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “Today Glasgow 2026 is one step closer to becoming a reality and we are delighted that both the Scottish and UK governments have backed our proposal.

“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.

“Glasgow is one of the few cities in the Commonwealth that can deliver on time given its world class facilities, experienced
workforce and strong supply chain.

“This is a really exciting opportunity and we will be working hard over the coming days to bring the final pieces of the puzzle together.

“I would like to thank both the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Australia for their confidence and financial contributions to the project, which have ensured that the Games can continue, that public funds will not be required and which delivers a significant economic boost to the City of Glasgow and to Scotland.”

First minister John Swinney said: “Very pleased, after constructive discussions with partners, we have been able to agree to Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2026.

“It will be scaled back compared to 2014 but will be a celebration of sporting achievement. Excited about Glasgow 2026.”

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross wrote on X: “Fantastic news that Glasgow is set to host the Commonwealth Games once again.

“Looking forward to a great summer of sport as Scotland welcomes athletes from right across the Commonwealth in 2026.”

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