XXIII Commonwealth Games
As Brisbane officially begins the six-year countdown to hosting the summer Olympics in 2032, the Commonwealth Games are getting underway.
The XXIII Commonwealth Games is being held in Glasgow, which previously hosted the event in 2014. This will be the fourth time the Commonwealth Games have taken place in Scotland following the 1970 and 1986 games in Edinburgh.
More than 3000 athletes from across the Commonwealth will compete over 11 days in a scaled-down event featuring 215 events covering 10 sports.
The action kicked off early with the bowls and para-bowls events before the Games officially started with the Opening Ceremony at the OVO Hydro, the first time it has been held entirely indoors.
The Opening Ceremony featured King Charles and Queen Camilla stepping out of a TARDIS before the athletes paraded into the stadium. Australian viewers who woke up early to watch the ceremony were left somewhat confused when Australia didn’t walk out first.
Instead, Games organisers opted for the teams to be introduced by global region in alphabetical order, beginning with the African nations. Reigning pole vault gold medallist Nina Kennedy led the team out as Australia’s flag-bearer along with para-swimming star Tim Hodge carrying the country’s baton.
Australia is sending a 256-strong cohort to Glasgow this year, representing the next generation of our national sporting elite that will compete in all events across the 2026 roster.
Success at the Commonwealth Games is the penultimate stepping stone to Olympic glory. More than likely, this year’s victors will take the world stage in Los Angeles in 2028, and possibly even Brisbane in 2032.
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The 2026 Commonwealth Games were originally planned to be held in Victoria, Australia, but were shifted to Glasgow after the state government terminated the hosting agreement. Then-premier Dan Andrews cited escalating costs and diminished economic value as the reason for cancellation.
Australia has already started strong, with women’s bowls duo Kelsey Cottrell and Dawn Hayman winning against Zambia 6-4 14-0 in their sectional play.
