When the fastest man on the planet won Commonwealth relay gold for Jamaica in 2014, more than 50,000 fans cheered him home at Hampden. This time, the athletes seeking to emulate Usain Bolt — including mile world record holder Josh Kerr — will compete at Scotstoun Stadium in front of 11,000 spectators.
From Friday until 2 August, 215 gold medals will be up for grabs across 10 days of competition, with 3,000 competitors from 74 nations and territories chasing glory. The Games feature a record 47 para-sports events, compared to 261 golds when Scotland last staged the event in 2014.
“Glasgow hosts scaled-back Commonwealth Games with 74 nations, 215 golds, and 3,000 athletes after Victoria withdrew.”
The action begins at 09:30 with bowls and para-bowls heats, but the Games will be officially opened by King Charles during a ceremony at the Hydro later. The event will be attended by dignitaries including Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney and the First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth. Some of the 4,000 Games volunteers, aged 16 to 96, will also take part in the celebration.
This edition was never meant to happen in Glasgow. The Australian state of Victoria pulled out of hosting in July 2023 after the projected bill soared from an original estimate of A$2.6bn (£1.35bn) to more than A$6bn (£3.11bn). Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the new figure was "more than twice the estimated economic benefit" it would bring to the state. The decision plunged the future of the 2026 Games — and the Commonwealth Games as a whole — into doubt.
In September 2024, a deal backed by the Scottish government was agreed for Glasgow to host a "scaled back, but high-quality" event across four venues along an eight-mile stretch: Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Glasgow International Arena and the Scottish Event Campus. The 2014 Games cost £543m, but no public money has been spent on this 23rd edition, which will cost £150m in total. The Commonwealth Games Federation is investing £100m, with the remainder coming from commercial revenue streams such as ticketing and sponsorship.
The question now is whether a reduced Games can still inspire a generation — or if the Commonwealth movement itself is running out of steam.