The 10 sports AXED from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow
Hockey, diving and cricket are among the sports canceled for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Just ten sports are included in the stripped-down programme, half the number of Birmingham 2022, after Glasgow agreed to step in as hosts keeping costs to a minimum.
Athletics, boxing, pétanque, cycling, gymnastics, judo, korfball, swimming, weightlifting and 3×3 basketball are on the program for 2026, six of which will feature fully integrated para competitions.
Only four venues will be used: the Emirates Arena, Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Center and the Scottish Event Campus.
There will be an opening and closing ceremony, but there will be no marathon or cycling race. The other sports that have been completely canceled are badminton, beach volleyball, rugby sevens, squash, table tennis, triathlon and wrestling.
Glasgow will host the 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games as the event returns to the city 12 years after the Games in 2014
Ten popular sports have been dropped from the 2026 Commonwealth Games
Team sports hockey has also been scrapped as event organizers streamline sports offerings
Glasgow last held the Games in 2014, but offered to do so again after Australia’s Victoria state pulled out last year due to rising costs.
The budget for the scaled-back 2026 event is just £114 million, far less than the £543 million spent in 2014, with around £100 million of that coming from compensation paid by Victoria to the Commonwealth Games Federation.
Of the ten sports axed, the omission of hockey is the most controversial as a national hockey center was built for the 2014 Games in Glasgow. Hockey has been included in every event since 1998, with England’s women winning their first gold in Birmingham two years ago.
A spokesperson for England Hockey told Mail Sport: ‘We are disappointed that hockey will not be included in the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, a decision that ignores a sport with a proud history and strong presence in the Commonwealth countries.
“We have a long history of success at the Commonwealth Games and we know our athletes have loved being part of their home country’s teams. We will miss being part of the action, but understand that difficult decisions have to be made.
“We remain hopeful and confident that future organizers will restore hockey to the Games, where it has long flourished and inspired.”
Explaining why hockey has been axed, Commonwealth Games Scotland chairman Ian Reid said: “Hockey would be an additional venue and a large number of athletes that we would have to accommodate.
“You can imagine the balance we’re trying to balance, between trying to use the minimum number of venues to keep costs down, looking at the success of the home country and the number of athletes.”
Organizers have decided to scrap the popular rugby sevens as part of a smaller-scale event
A total of 3,000 athletes from as many as 74 Commonwealth countries and territories are expected to compete in Glasgow 2026 – almost 2,000 fewer than in Glasgow 2014 and Birmingham 2022.
“When we started putting this concept together just under a year ago, our focus was on creating a Games that were different – that could be delivered with the highest quality, in a short time frame and in a financially sustainable way.” , said Jon Doig. , CEO of Commonwealth Games Scotland.
“Glasgow 2026 will have all the drama, passion and joy we know from the Commonwealth Games, even if it will be lighter and leaner than some previous editions.”
CGF chief executive Katie Sadleir added: ‘With the reassuring legacy of Glasgow 2014, which offers existing sporting, transport and accommodation infrastructure, and world-class venues and expertise, we look forward to working with the Glasgow team working to host a very special Commonwealth Games in 2026. .’