The contrast could hardly be starker. In 2014, Glasgow’s then council leader Gordon Matheson declared the city “demonstrated our credentials as a world-class city” as locals embraced the Commonwealth Games. This time, as athletes prepare to arrive for the 2026 edition, the mood is not nearly as bright or positive.
Glasgow will welcome competitors against a backdrop of roadworks, refurbishments and the remains of a building ravaged by fire sitting next to the city’s largest train station. Yet organisers are keen to stress the city is ready.
“Glasgow hosts Commonwealth Games after Victoria pulled out, with roadworks and a fire-damaged building, but organisers insist the city is ready.”
The Games were parachuted in after the Australian state of Victoria dropped out, and Glasgow was partly picked because much of the infrastructure from the 2014 event remained in place. But this edition is pared back: 10 sports rather than 17, with about 3,000 athletes competing for 215 gold medals over 10 days. Hosting at short notice remains a large undertaking.
Behind the scenes, thousands of volunteers are already checking in at Glasgow Caledonian University, which is doubling as the registration centre. An estimated 20,000 people are expected to collect accreditation passes before the Games end on 2 August.
Among them is Niamh Mackenzie, a 19-year-old psychology student already working shifts. She said the summer had been dominated by the Tartan Army’s “No Scotland No Party” atmosphere at the World Cup in the US. “It’s quite exciting to have that atmosphere locally,” she said. “Hopefully we give a good experience to everyone that’s coming over for it.” Mackenzie has relatives who volunteered in 2014.
Daniel Bustillos-Arell, an American who has lived in Scotland for 11 years, also signed up after volunteering at the 2023 UCI cycling championships. “All I’ve heard about since I moved to Scotland was the 2014 Games,” he said. “People talk about what a great experience it was, and how much they enjoyed it.”
As the city scrambles to finish preparations, the question lingers whether Glasgow can recapture that magic on shorter notice and amid visible disruption. The volunteers, at least, are determined to try.
