10 sports removed from Commonwealth Games
Ten sports have been axed from Commonwealth Games ahead of Glasgow 2026, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has revealed.
This comes as the CGF officially confirmed Glasgow as the host city for the next edition of the Games in two years’ time.
The sports that have been dropped include cricket, hockey, rugby sevens, badminton, table tennis, diving, beach volleyball, mountain biking, squash and rhythmic gymnastics.
The roster of sports that will be played at Glasgow 2026 includes athletics, swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling, netball, weightlifting, boxing, judo, bowls, and 3×3 basketball.
By contrast, the most recent Games at Birmingham 2022 included 20 different sports.
Glasgow 2026 will take place at four venues, namely Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena, and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).
Shooting meanwhile, which was omitted ahead of Birmingham 2022, will also not be included in the next Commonwealth Games.
Hockey had been a staple in the Games since debuting in 1998, while cricket had been a recent addition in 2022, following a 24-year hiatus.
Glasgow 2026 is projected to generate more than £100m of inward investment into the host city, and will support more than £150m in economic value for the region, according to the CGF.
The city has also received a ‘multi-million pound’ investment in order to enhance public sports facilities, and to fund activation projects.
“The 2026 Games will be a bridge to the Commonwealth Games of tomorrow – an exciting first step in our journey to reset and redefine the Games as a truly collaborative, flexible and sustainable model for the future that minimises costs, reduces the environmental footprint, and enhances social impact – in doing so increasing the scope of countries capable of hosting,” said Katie Sadleir, CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
“With the reassuring legacy of Glasgow 2014 providing existing sporting, transport and accommodation infrastructure, and world-class venues and expertise, we look forward to working with the Glasgow team to deliver a very special Commonwealth Games in 2026.”
Commonwealth Games Scotland CEO, Jon Doig, added, “Glasgow 2026 will have all the drama, passion and joy that we know the Commonwealth Games delivers even if it is to be lighter and leaner than some previous editions. It will be more accessible, delivered on a smaller footprint which brings our fans closer to the sporting action.”
