Stripped-back programme announced for next Commonwealth Games

Tuesday 22 October 2024

A stripped-back programme of ten sports was announced this morning for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games – with hockey and table tennis among those left out.

Rubgy sevens, badminton, para tennis, volleyball and squash will also miss out after all appearing at the latest Games in Birmingham in 2022.

The announcement comes after Glasgow stepped in to secure the continuation of the Games when the Australian state of Victoria pulled out due to rising costs.

Pictured: A stripped-back programme of ten sports was announced this morning for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games 

Jersey did not manage to secure any medals at the last Games – but Guersney's 400m hurdler Alastair Chalmers won bronze and Lucy Beere took home silver in bowls.

A total of 3,000 athletes from up to 74 Commonwealth nations and territories, including Guernsey and Jersey, are expected to compete at the 2026 Games.

Paul Huddlestone, president of the Commonwealth Games Association of Jersey, said: “We’re really pleased to have clarity after a period of uncertainty for everyone associated with the Commonwealth Games.

“Now that we have confirmation of the sports involved, we will act quickly to release our qualifying performance indicators and support athletes from all of our member associations.

“We realise that the reduced sports programme will mean disappointment for some athletes who have done so well for Jersey at previous Games.

“However, given the timeframe and financial constraints following Victoria’s withdrawal, holding a larger schedule of sports is simply not possible."

He added: “The decision to exclude certain sports does not set a precedent for future Games.

“The CGF have assured us that all Commonwealth Games sports remain important and there will be opportunities for their return in future editions.”

The Commonwealth Games 2026 will take place from Thursday 23 July to Sunday 2 August across four venues in Glasgow.

The sports programme will include athletics and para athletics, swimming and para swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling and para track cycling, netball, weightlifting and para powerlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and para bowls, and 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball.

Road and mountain bike events are notably absent from the cycling programme, and there will be no diving events or a triathlon.

Athletics is a mandatory sport, but the marathon has also been dropped from the 2026 programme.

Pictured: Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Katie Sadleir. (Glasgow 2026)

Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Katie Sadleir said: “With the Commonwealth Games held in such high esteem by athletes, sports and nations across the Commonwealth, we have been working tirelessly with our fellow stakeholders to ensure a high-quality Games will take place in 2026 – securing this vital milestone in the career pathway for thousands of athletes.

"The 2026 Games will be a bridge to the Commonwealth Games of tomorrow – an exciting first step in our journey to reset and redefine the Games as a truly collaborative, flexible and sustainable model for the future that minimises costs, reduces the environmental footprint, and enhances social impact – in doing so increasing the scope of countries capable of hosting.’’

She continued: "With the reassuring legacy of Glasgow 2014 providing existing sporting, transport and accommodation infrastructure, and world-class venues and expertise, we look forward to working with the Glasgow team to deliver a very special Commonwealth Games in 2026.

"Our movement’s commitment to sport for development and social change remains central to Glasgow 2026 and beyond – with full integration of Para sport a priority the Games will continue to be an inspiring and impactful platform.’’