Major sports like hockey, badminton, wrestling, cricket and shooting have been dropped from the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on Tuesday unveiled a shortlist of 10 disciplines to keep the event budget-friendly.
Table tennis, squash and triathlon have also been dropped to limit costs and streamline logistics. Only four venues in Glasgow will host the entire Commonwealth Games. There will be a total of 9 fewer sports this time compared to the 2022 Birmingham edition. Glasgow will host the Commonwealth Games after 12 years since the 2014 edition.
The 23rd edition of the mega-event will be held from July 23 to August 2. “The sports programme will include athletics and para athletics (track and field), swimming and para swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling and para track cycling, netball, weightlifting and para powerlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and para bowls, and 3×3 basketball and 3×3 wheelchair basketball,” the CGF said in a statement.
“The games will take place at four venues – Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). Athletes and support staff will be housed in hotel accommodation,” the statement added.
This roster is a major blow to India’s medal prospects, as most of the country’s medals in previous editions came from dropped sports. However, shooting was never expected to return after being dropped from the Birmingham Games four years ago due to logistics. Glasgow Green and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, which hosted hockey and wrestling in 2014, have been dropped from the list of venues, while the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, where badminton was held that year, will be used only for cycling this time.
The Australian state of Victoria was the original host of the 2026 edition but pulled out last year due to rising costs. Scotland then stepped in to host. Para-athletes have been part of the Games since the 2002 Manchester edition and will continue to be in the 2026 edition as well.
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