2 weeks ago
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Badminton and hockey are among the sports that have missed out on the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
A stripped-back programme of 10 sports, announced on Tuesday, includes athletics and swimming as mandatory as well as the likes of track cycling, boxing and gymnastics.
The Games, last held in Glasgow in 2014 at a cost of over £540 million, will take place across four venues between July 23 and August 2, 2026.
Alrick Swaby tells us more.
Glasgow stepped in to host after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out because of rising costs.
A total of 3,000 athletes from up to 74 Commonwealth nations and territories are expected to compete at the 2026 Games.
The event will also feature “fully integrated para-competitions” across six of the selected sports.
Organisers said they understood that fans and athletes of sports not included were “incredibly disappointed” but that the 2026 competition would not influence inclusion in future Games.
Hockey has been dropped from the programme despite a national hockey centre being built for the last Glasgow Games at a cost of £5 million.
However, organisers remained upbeat, with Katie Sadleir, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, saying it would be a “truly immersive festival of sport and celebration of culture and diversity”.
Some sports such as cycling and gymnastics have had their disciplines slimmed down.
The cycling programme for Glasgow 2014 included mountain biking and road races, but this time athletes will only compete on the track.
In gymnastics, there is no room for any rhythmic events, with only artistic gymnastics being included.
There will also be no diving competitions.
There will be no road-based events such as the triathlon or marathon on the programme – these were previously free for spectators to attend in 2014.
Rugby sevens, which was previously hosted at Ibrox Stadium is also out.
3×3 basketball had been selected due to it being an easy sport to integrate with para-sport, and that it would help bring a younger audience to the Games.
The event will feature an opening and closing ceremony and there will be some form of King’s baton relay before the Games.
English (US) ·