The 2026 Commonwealth Games are set to begin in Glasgow on Thursday, July 23. Scotland’s largest city is hosting the multi-sport event for the second time, having previously hosted in 2014. The games will run through August 2 and feature 10 core sports including swimming, athletics, and judo. A total of 215 gold medals will be contested across these disciplines.
The event has a star-studded lineup with athletes from around the world. Notable names include Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, England’s Dina Asher-Smith, British swimmer Adam Peaty, and South African Chad le Clos. The opening ceremony is scheduled for the OVO Hydro venue in Glasgow. Competitions will also take place at the Glasgow International Arena, Scottish Event Campus, Scotstoun Stadium, and Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
The Games were originally awarded to Victoria, Australia, but the city withdrew due to rising costs. Malaysia was then approached but declined, citing time and financial constraints. Glasgow stepped in to host a scaled-down version of the event after confirming its bid in late 2024.
About 3,000 athletes from 74 countries and territories will compete. India is sending a 125-member team including four Para disciplines. The Indian campaign begins with Para powerlifting on July 24 and ends with medal events in judo and bowls on August 2.
Canada has also sent a strong team to Glasgow, led by veteran athletes and promising newcomers. The country’s chef de mission is Erica Wiebe, who won her first gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Canada’s athletics squad includes Olympic champion Andre De Grasse and decathlete Damian Warner.
Among Canadian swimmers, Josh Liendo is expected to be a top performer. He previously won gold in the 100m butterfly at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and silver at the 2024 Olympics. Liendo will compete in several events including the 50m and 100m freestyle, as well as relay races. Kylie Masse is another top swimmer representing Canada, with multiple Olympic and Commonwealth medals.
Oliver Dawson, an 18-year-old breaststroke specialist, is also on the team. He swept the breaststroke events at Canadian trials. Other notable names include Sebastian Massabie and Mary Jibb in Para swimming.
The swimming events begin Friday, July 24, with heats starting at 5:30 a.m. ET and finals at 2 p.m. ET. CBC will provide live coverage through its streaming service and television platforms. The event also includes Para swimming, which is part of the medal tally for the first time in Commonwealth Games history.
Scotland’s own swimmer Sean McCann is representing his country in the games. He is a student at Loughborough University and aims to secure a spot on Team Great Britain for the 2028 Olympics. McCann is eligible to represent Scotland through his father, who was born in Glasgow. He previously competed in youth-level Commonwealth Games and European open water events.
Canada’s goal is to maintain its position as one of the top medal-winning nations in the Commonwealth Games, following Australia and England. The team will be aiming for a strong showing across multiple sports, with swimming and athletics expected to be key areas for success.
IMAGE: Alexander Stadium at the opening ceremony to Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Broomcleaning2006 This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
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