Glasgow announced as host for 2026 Commonwealth Games

Glasgow has been announced as the host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The decision was approved by the Scottish government on Tuesday.

The city has stepped up at short notice after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out due to high costs.

Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) has confirmed it will be a scaled-back version of the event, with a reduction in the number of sports offered, in a bid to try and save money.

Glasgow last hosted the Games in 2014.

Stepping up at short notice

Victoria pulled out in June 2023 due to "high and rising costs".

Birmingham hosted the 2022 edition and contributed almost £1.2 billion to the UK economy.

However, the city has struggled financially since, with Birmingham City Council effectively declaring bankruptcy.

Scotland's Health Secretary Neil Gray has promised there will be "no significant ask of public funds".

The funding will come from a Commonwealth Games Federation investment of £100m, plus private income.

Australian authorities have also promised "a multi-million pound investment" to help finalise Glasgow's offer to rescue the multi-sport event.

The scaled back version of events will involve a core programme of 10-13 sports, down from the 20 sports in competition at Birmingham in 2022.

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