By james art The scaled-down Games will be held from July 23 to August 2, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) announced on Tuesday.
Glasgow, which hosted the event in 2014, stepped in to organize the event after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out last year.
The Games will feature a program of 10 sports across four venues within an eight-mile corridor, with more than 500,000 tickets available for spectators.
Athletics and swimming are included as compulsory sports for 2026, while there will also be track cycling, gymnastics, netball, weightlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and 3×3 basketball.
There will be integrated para events in six of these sports – athletics, swimming, track cycling, weightlifting, bowling and basketball.
Among the sports missing from the 2022 Games in Birmingham are triathlon, diving, hockey, T20 cricket, squash, badminton and rugby sevens.
Scottish Commonwealth Games chairman Ian Reid said it was not easy to decide which sports to include.
He told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme: “I think everyone recognizes that these events need to be more accessible, lighter and we would like all our sports and all our athletes to compete, but unfortunately that it’s just not possible or available for this time frame.”
However, he said he thinks the sports program will begin to vary and may increase depending on locations in future cities, so there is a chance more sports will be included again.
CGF Chief Executive Katie Sadleir said: “On behalf of the entire Commonwealth Sports Movement, we are delighted to officially confirm that the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in the host city of Glasgow.
“The Games promise to be a truly immersive festival of sport and a celebration of the culture and diversity that inspires athletes and sport – with a fan experience more accessible than ever.
“The 2026 Games will be a bridge to the Commonwealth Games of tomorrow – an exciting first step in our journey to reshape and redefine the Games as a truly collaborative, flexible and sustainable model for the future that minimizes costs, reduces environmental footprint and improves social impact – thereby increasing the range of host countries.
“With the reassuring legacy of Glasgow 2014, providing existing sporting, transport and accommodation infrastructure, as well as world-class venues and experiences, we look forward to working with the Glasgow team to deliver a very special Commonwealth Games in 2026.” “
Some 3,000 athletes are expected to compete from up to 74 nations and Commonwealth territories, representing a total of 2.5 billion people – a third of the world’s population.
The four venues confirmed to host events are Scotstown Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, the Emirates Arena – including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome – and the Scottish Events Campus.
It is estimated that the Glasgow 2026 Games will bring more than £100m of inward investment to the city.
Commonwealth Games Scotland Chief Executive John Doig said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured Glasgow as the host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
“Glasgow 2026 will have all the drama, passion and joy we know the Commonwealth Games deliver, even if it has to be lighter and simpler than some previous editions.” It will be more accessible, delivered in a smaller footprint, bringing our fans closer to the sporting action.”
The athletes and support staff will be accommodated in hotel rooms.
Scottish First Minister John Sweeney said: “The Commonwealth Games are a hugely important event for Scottish sport and an exciting opportunity for the people of Scotland.
“As well as an action-packed sporting program that will inspire and excite audiences around the world, Glasgow 2026 will also be a cultural celebration.
“I would like to thank Commonwealth Games Scotland for their hard work and dedication to create a viable bid for Glasgow 2026 – and the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Australia for their help in securing of the Games.”
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “This is good news for the Commonwealth Games and another opportunity for Glasgow and Scotland to demonstrate their ability to stage world-class sporting events.”
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “We are thrilled to welcome the Commonwealth Games back to Glasgow in 2026, where Scotland’s renowned hospitality and unwavering passion for sport will once again shine the city on the world stage.
“The UK Government has been a long-standing supporter of the Games and we are proud to have played our part in making Glasgow 2026 a reality, supporting the Scottish Government, Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Commonwealth Games Federation to deliver a world-class event .”
Glasgow City Council Leader Susan Aitken said: “The 2026 Games are an opportunity to set out a new blueprint for the future of sustainable, accessible Commonwealth sport – and it should come as no surprise that the organizers believe Glasgow is the place to what they can do to make it happen.”