The Commonwealth Games 2026, officially Glasgow 2026, will be held across four venues in Scotland’s largest city. It is a deliberately compact Games: 10 sports, six of them Para sports, and roughly 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories.
If you are planning to be there, start with flights to Glasgow and hotels in Glasgow, since both fill up fast during a global sporting event. Here is everything you need to know.
When and where the Commonwealth Games 2026 take place
The Games open on 23 July and close on 2 August 2026. Both the opening and closing ceremonies are staged at the OVO Hydro, part of the Scottish Event Campus.
This is the second time Glasgow has hosted, after the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The 2026 edition is leaner by design, reusing existing venues rather than building new ones.
The headline numbers
- Dates: 23 July to 2 August 2026 (11 days)
- Sports: 10, including six Para sports
- Medal events: around 215
- Athletes: about 3,000 from 74 nations and territories
- Venues: four, within an eight-mile corridor
The 10 sports on the programme
Glasgow 2026 carries a focused 10-sport programme, and it features the largest Para sport medal program in Commonwealth Games history. Several events run able-bodied and Para competition side by side.
| Sport | Para event included |
|---|---|
| Athletics | Para Athletics |
| Swimming | Para Swimming |
| Track Cycling | Para Track Cycling |
| Bowls | Para Bowls |
| Weightlifting | Para Powerlifting |
| 3×3 Basketball | 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball |
| Artistic Gymnastics | No |
| Boxing | No |
| Judo | No |
| Netball | No |
A full session-by-session schedule is published on the official Glasgow 2026 site, with downloadable PDFs for each sport. Organizers note that all timings are subject to change, so check before booking sessions.
Venues
All competition sits within a tight eight-mile corridor, so you can realistically catch events at more than one venue in a single day. Four venues carry the Games.
- Scotstoun Stadium: athletics and Para athletics
- Tollcross International Swimming Centre: swimming and Para swimming
- Scottish Event Campus (SEC): weightlifting and Para powerlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and Para bowls, 3×3 basketball, and netball, plus the opening and closing ceremonies at the OVO Hydro
- Glasgow International Arena (Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Arena): track cycling, Para track cycling and artistic gymnastics
Getting around Glasgow
Getting around is easy. Glasgow’s main gateway is Glasgow International Airport, while nearby Edinburgh Airport is a useful alternative for connecting flights.
Every event ticket includes a Games Travel Pass valid on the day, covering local bus services, the Glasgow Subway and ScotRail trains. That makes venue-hopping free once you hold a ticket.
Commonwealth Games 2026 tickets & prices
Tickets are on sale now through the official Glasgow 2026 platform, with a final ticket release live as the Games approach. Prices are kept accessible at the entry level.
- Concession tickets from £12
- Non-medal sessions from £17
- Medal sessions from £26
- Ceremonies and marquee finals cost more
Buy only through the official Glasgow 2026 ticketing site or its authorized partner to avoid resale scams. The Games Travel Pass is bundled with every ticket, so factor that saving into your budget.
India at Glasgow 2026: What travelers need to know
India’s medal hopes lean heavily on weightlifting, a traditional strong suit at the Commonwealth Games. The competition runs from 26 to 30 July at the SEC Armadillo.
Two-time Commonwealth Games champion Mirabai Chanu leads the Indian weightlifting squad in the women’s 48kg category. She won gold at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022, and silver here in Glasgow in 2014.
Entry rules: ETA or visa
Most travelers now need clearance before boarding a UK-bound flight, so sort this out early.
- GCC nationals and residents from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation. See our guide to the UK ETA and its 2026 price increase.
- Indian nationals are not eligible for the ETA and must apply for a UK Standard Visitor visa. Our UK visit visa guide walks through the process.
Getting there from the Gulf and South Asia
Emirates flies daily from Dubai International Airport to Glasgow, while Qatar Airways connects through Hamad International Airport to nearby Edinburgh.
If you have time, pair the Games with a wider trip. Start with our 48 hours in Edinburgh guide, just an hour away.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Commonwealth Games 2026?
They run from 23 July to 2 August 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland, with both ceremonies held at the OVO Hydro.
How many sports are at Glasgow 2026?
There are 10 sports, six of which include Para events, across around 215 medal events. It is the largest Para sport program in Games history.
How much do Commonwealth Games 2026 tickets cost?
Concession tickets start from £12, non-medal sessions from £17 and medal sessions from £26, with ceremonies priced higher. Every ticket includes free local travel on the day.
Do I need a visa to attend the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow?
GCC nationals and residents need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation, while Indian nationals must apply for a UK Standard Visitor visa. Apply well before you travel.
Sources
- Glasgow 2026 — Official Commonwealth Games website
- Glasgow 2026 — Sports programme
- Glasgow 2026 — Venues
- Glasgow 2026 — Schedule overview
- Commonwealth Sport — Glasgow 2026
- Olympics.com — India’s Commonwealth Games 2026 weightlifting squad
- The Tribune — Mirabai Chanu headlines India’s weightlifting squad
- GOV.UK — Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
- GOV.UK — Standard Visitor visa
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
