The Rookie Guide To The Commonwealth Games 2026

This July in Scotland, The Commonwealth Games will be taking place featuring 10 sports and para sports hosting over 3000 athletes.

(Image credit to TNT Sport)

What are the Commonwealth Games?

The Commonwealth Games are a major multi-sport event held every 4 years featuring athletes from the commonwealth of nations it was founded in 1930 as the British Empire games and only had 11 countries to begin with as each of the nations gained independence the game was renamed the commonwealth games in 1978 and has now become the 4th most watched event globally the event features a mixture of athletes who participate in para sports and non parasports it is celebrated to being one of the most inclusive events in the world.

Why are the Commonwealth Games different?

Compared to the olympics/paralympics which is open to nearly every country in the world the commonwealth games is restricted to the 74 member states and territories of the commonwealth nations which have many shared british colonialism in the olympics/paralympics athletes represent their respective National Olympic Committees like GB has athletes for england ireland scotland and wales whereas in the commonwealth games athletes are entered independently like england and wales are sent differently the commonwealth games are the only competition that have there para athletes and non para athletes play in the same competitions.

Meet the host

Glasgow , Scotland will be hosting the commonwealth games this 2026 for a 11 day competition they will host the events through different venues SEC Centre: Hosts Boxing, Bowls and Para Bowls, Judo, 3x3 Basketball, and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball.SEC Armadillo: Hosts Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting.The Hydro: Hosts Netball. Scotstoun Stadium: Hosts Athletics and Para Athletics. Tollcross International Swimming Centre: Hosts Swimming and Para Swimming.Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Glasgow International Arena (Emirates Arena): Hosts Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling, as well as Artistic Gymnastics.

Sports Taking Place

With both para sports and non para sports taking place there will be an adapted version of each sport for para athletes. Sports that are included are 

• Athletics and Para Athletics

• Swimming and Para Swimming

• Artistic Gymnastics

• Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling

• Netball

• Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting

• Boxing

• Judo

• Bowls and Para Bowls

• 3 × 3 Basketball and 3 × 3 Wheelchair Basketball

How does Para-sports work?

Running : athletes with a visual impairment run alongside an excited guide tied to them by a strap, wheelchair races use that custom three wheel chairs.

Throwing events: seated athletes use specialised frames to throw their shotput discus or javelin safely.

Swimming: swimmers complete in a standard pool distance using classifications can start from a diving block sitting down on the block or directly inside the water blind visually impaired swimmers use a taper, a coach holding a long pole with a self foam tip who gently taps the swimmer's head or back to signal a wall is approaching.

Cycling: athletes with limb differences or amputations write a modified standard bicycle cyclist with a visual impairment race on a tandem two person bicycle starred by a cited front rider as a pilot.

Powerlifting: athletes use an extra wide flat bench with a strapping option to completely stabilise their legs and hips. Competitors must lower the bar to their chest, hold it completely still and press it upwards with a lot of elbow to get a green light from a judge.

Bowls: players with specialised wheelchairs with an extra ride, tears or a flat base to protect their delicate grass surface visual guides help blind bowlers work with a director who stands at the target end using a clock face system and describes the angle to guide their aim.

Wheelchair basketball: players can push their wheelchairs twice, but they must bounce and pass the ball before pushing a third time to avoid a travelling violation. The wheelchair is considered an extension of the athlete body; any illegal contact using the chair results in a personal foul.

Where To Watch

Depending on where you live there will be different streaming platforms in the UK TNT sports will broadcast it.

Article written by Nailah Gajia