Canada fields star-studded team at downsized Commonwealth Games
The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will feature a downsized program of 10 sports, focusing on sustainability and cost-efficiency. Canada is participating with a star-studded team in this reimagined version of the quadrennial event.
Why it matters
The event serves as a pilot for the future of international multi-sport festivals, testing whether smaller, more sustainable models can maintain global appeal.
The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow opens Thursday and closes Aug. 2.
About 3,000 athletes from 74 countries and territories will compete in a downsized sport program.
Coverage begins on Thursday, starting with the pre-ceremony show at 2:30 p.m. ET, hosted by CBC Sports’ Andi Petrillo and Paralympic cycling medallist Nathan Clement. CBC Gem, CBCSports.ca and CBC will then have live coverage of the opening ceremony at 3 p.m. ET.
Glasgow rode to the rescue to host the quadrennial summer multi-sport festival when the Australian state of Victoria pulled out in 2023 over ballooning costs.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games features 10 sports: athletics, swimming, boxing, judo, artistic gymnastics, track cycling, netball, weightlifting, bowls and three-on-three basketball.
Six sports include its Para sport counterpart: athletics, swimming, bowls, basketball, track cycling, weightlifting.
How to watch the Commonwealth Games on CBC
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in