Scotland agrees to host Commonwealth Games in 2026

Glasgow is set to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after a deal was backed by the Scottish Government.

A scaled-down version of the event, with fewer sports and athletes, will return to the city 12 years after it last hosted the Games.

The Australian state of Victoria was originally chosen to stage the multi-sport event, but withdrew as host due to rising costs.

Australian authorities have promised “a multi-million pound investment” to help finalize the deal.

Health and Sport Minister Neil Gray held talks with Commonwealth Games Australia on Monday to discuss funding, and received the assurances the Scottish government was seeking.

He has now written to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to officially back a “scaled-down but high-quality” event that will see 10 sports across four venues in the city, with athletics at Scotstoun Stadium and the swimming which takes place at Tollcross.

Gray said the fact the city was asked to step in and host the games was a “testament to Glasgow’s and Scotland’s fantastic reputation for hosting international events”.

He said: “In 2026, all eyes will once again be on Glasgow, and I have every confidence that Scotland’s largest city will provide a suitable platform for some of the world’s best athletes.”

The minister added that CGS would be responsible for the budget and delivery of the event.

He told BBC Scotland News: “If there is a situation where we go beyond a very substantial contingency, CGS will look at the way the Games have been delivered rather than calling on the British or Scottish government for resources.”

He added that he hoped a “more sustainable bid” would allow a “diverse mix of countries to host the games in the future.”

CGF chairman Chris Jenkins said he would work closely with Commonwealth Games Scotland to formally announce Glasgow as the host city as soon as possible.

He said: “We believe that Glasgow 2026 will be an important first step in our commitment to reset and reshape the Commonwealth Games as a sustainable co-created model that minimizes costs, inspires athletes, and excites the hosts and international federations.

He confirmed that Commonwealth Games Australia had contributed £2.3 million to “enhance the event”.

Ian Reid, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS), said he was “delighted” with the confirmation.

He said: “We have been clear from the outset that our Games concept for Glasgow 2026 aligns with CGF’s strategy to make the Games more accessible for future hosts, ensuring that public funds are not required.

Mr Reid added: “Glasgow is one of the few cities in the Commonwealth that can deliver on time given its first-class facilities, skilled workforce and strong supply chain.

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

A final decision was taken at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning.

Organizers have said the Games will be held at no cost to the public purse, with funding coming from compensation paid to the CGF after the Australians withdraw.

The UK government would provide financial support in the event of any increased security threats, but had refused to fully underwrite the Games.

Gray previously insisted there was “a reputational risk as well as a financial risk” for Scotland to resume hosting duties, and that it could not use public funds.

The total budget for the Games is expected to be around £114 million.

Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar said: “Glasgow is a great city but it needs economic investment and renewal.

“By hosting the games, we can showcase Glasgow and Scotland on the international stage and bring investment and tourism there.

“This is our chance to complete the legacy of the 2014 games, demonstrate global leadership and bring about the change Glasgow needs.”

Sandesh Gulhane, the Scottish Conservatives’ health spokesman, welcomed the “fantastic news” which was to be provided “at no cost to hard-charging taxpayers”.

“This will put Glasgow on the world map and is an ideal chance to promote all that is great about it,” he said. “However, I hope therefore that the state of our city is much improved compared to how it looks. now.”

Glasgow last hosted the Games in 2014 at a cost of £543 million, with 17 sports taking place in one event. praised by the organizers like the best ever.

The 2026 version will be a more modest affair, but it is not yet clear which sports will be cut.

There will be no athletes’ village and the opening and closing ceremonies are expected to be reduced.

Former Team Scotland athlete and swimmer Hannah Miley told BBC Scotland News that the Commonwealth Games was a “special event” for athletes.

She said: “There were so many great memories from 2014, so to have it again in 2026 I think it will be a great opportunity.

“Being able to compete in front of a home nation is something that not many athletes do. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The retired swimmer added that while it was great that Glasgow was hosting the Games again, she had “mixed emotions” that some sports would not be included.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has struggled to find hosts for the event in recent years.

Durban was supposed to be the first city in Africa to stage the Games in 2022, but they were stripped of hosting rights in 2017 after running into money problems.

Birmingham and the British government intervened to save the event, shelling out a combined $1 billion for what became the most attended Games on record.

Victoria later withdrew in July 2023 after the projected cost of the event became “well and truly too much” for the state to bear, while other possible hosts such as Malaysia and Singapore declined to intervene.

The 12-day competition was expected to cost more than A$6 billion (£3.13bn; $4.09bn).