The Scottish government is nearing an agreement to bring the Commonwealth Games back to Glasgow in 2026, following the withdrawal of Victoria, Australia, due to soaring costs. Health Secretary Neil Gray, who oversees sports, confirmed to BBC Scotland News that he is in discussions with Commonwealth Games Australia to finalize the deal.
After announcing its exit from hosting the games in July 2023, the Victorian government compensated the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) with 380 million Australian dollars (approximately USD 256 million). As a result, Glasgow, which successfully hosted the games in 2014, is stepping in to potentially hold a “scaled-down” event with fewer sports and venues.
Gray emphasized that the new games would differ significantly from the successful 2014 edition, expressing concerns about the inevitable comparisons. “Reputationally, my worry and the government’s worry has always been that there is going to be a comparison with the incredibly successful 2014 games, which by any stretch of the imagination… were going to be hard to match,” he said.
The proposed format for the 2026 games would feature between 10 and 13 sports, compared to 20 at the last Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham in 2022. “This is a different games, this is a smaller event,” Gray added, highlighting the importance of collaboration to ensure a positive outcome for Glasgow and Scotland.
Both the Scottish and UK governments have committed to avoiding public funding for the event, with a £100 million (around USD 130 million) contribution from the CGF backing Glasgow’s bid. Australian authorities have pledged a multi-million-pound investment to help cover additional costs, such as security and policing.
CGF President Chris Jenkins expressed support for Glasgow’s innovative approach, stating, “we fully endorse the innovative, cost-effective sustainable concept Scotland has developed for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.” He emphasized that the event should utilize existing infrastructure to create a sustainable and attractive proposition for future hosts.
As discussions continue, the Scottish government is focused on ensuring there are no financial risks associated with hosting the games, paving the way for a fresh chapter in Glasgow’s sporting history.
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