The 23rd Commonwealth Games will take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2, 2026, bringing together nearly 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories. Returning to Glasgow 12 years after the memorable 2014 edition, the Games will feature a streamlined competition with 10 sports, reflecting a cost-effective hosting model.

India, which finished fourth in the medal standings at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games with 61 medals (22 gold, 16 silver and 23 bronze), will be represented by a 125-member contingent aiming for another strong performance despite the reduced sporting programme.

Opening Ceremony and Competition Schedule

The Games will officially begin with a grand Opening Ceremony on July 23 at OVO Hydro in Glasgow.

Competitive action starts on July 24, with events in boxing, judo, bowls and para-bowls among the first competitions. The first medal of the Games will be awarded in para-powerlifting, while the closing days will feature major medal events in athletics, cycling, and netball before the Games conclude on August 2.

Sports on the Programme

Glasgow 2026 will feature 10 sports, significantly fewer than previous editions.

The sports include:

• Athletics & Para Athletics
• Swimming & Para Swimming
• Artistic Gymnastics
• Track Cycling & Para Track Cycling
• Boxing
• Judo
• Weightlifting & Para Powerlifting
• Netball
• Bowls & Para Bowls
• 3x3 Basketball & 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball

Notably, hockey, badminton, table tennis, squash, and other racket sports have been excluded from this edition as organisers opted for a leaner programme to reduce hosting costs.

Competition Venues

The Games will be staged across four primary venues in Glasgow:

• OVO Hydro – Opening Ceremony and Netball
• Tollcross International Swimming Centre – Swimming and Para Swimming
• Scotstoun Stadium – Athletics and Para Athletics
• Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome – Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling
• Scottish Event Campus (SEC) – Boxing, Judo, Weightlifting, Para Powerlifting, Bowls, and 3x3 Basketball

Athletics has been shifted from Hampden Park to the smaller Scotstoun Stadium, making athletics tickets among the most sought-after during the Games.

Ticket Prices

Ticket prices vary depending on the event:

• Non-medal sessions: From £17
• Medal sessions: From £26
• Premium athletics and cycling finals are priced significantly higher.

All tickets will be issued digitally and delivered shortly before the Games.

India's 125-Member Contingent

India will send a 125-member squad featuring several Olympic and world champions.

Some of the biggest names include:

• Neeraj Chopra – Athletics (Javelin)
• Mirabai Chanu – Weightlifting
• Lovlina Borgohain – Boxing

The Indian contingent will be looking to improve on its fourth-place finish from Birmingham 2022 despite competing in fewer sports.

74 Nations to Compete

A total of 74 nations and territories will participate in Glasgow 2026, with Gabon and Togo making their Commonwealth Games debut.

Although delegations are generally smaller than in previous editions because of the reduced sports programme, the competition is expected to remain highly competitive across all disciplines.

Meet 'Finnie' – The Official Mascot

The official mascot of Glasgow 2026 is Finnie, a unicorn featuring Glasgow's iconic traffic cone as its horn.

Created with the help of local schoolchildren, Finnie represents the city's creativity, inclusiveness, and community spirit. The mascot succeeds Clyde, who remains Team Scotland's official mascot.

Unique Medal Design

The Glasgow 2026 medals feature a distinctive Reuleaux triangle design, inspired by the city's industrial heritage.

For the first time in Commonwealth Games history, the medals include Braille and tactile elements, making them more accessible and inclusive for visually impaired athletes.

Where to Watch in India

Indian fans can watch the Commonwealth Games live on:

• Sony Sports Network (Television)
• Sony LIV (Live Streaming)

International viewers can also watch through TNT Sports, HBO Max, Channel 5 (highlights), and the Commonwealth Sport YouTube channel.

With world-class athletes, new sporting heroes, and India's medal hopes riding on a talented 125-member squad, the Commonwealth Games 2026 promises to deliver ten days of thrilling sporting action from Glasgow.