The wait is finally over as the 2026 Commonwealth Games get underway in Glasgow, Scotland, bringing together over 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories for 10 days of elite sporting action. From Olympic champions to rising stars, the Games promise thrilling competition across ten sports, with Team India aiming to add another memorable chapter to its Commonwealth legacy.
India will field a 125-member contingent, with several athletes already arriving in Glasgow to acclimatise ahead of the opening ceremony. The spotlight will firmly be on Olympic champions and world medallists such as Neeraj Chopra, Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain as India targets a strong medal haul in athletics, boxing, weightlifting, judo and Para sports.
When do the Commonwealth Games 2026 begin?
The Commonwealth Games officially begin on Thursday, July 23, with the opening ceremony taking place at the iconic OVO Hydro in Glasgow. The ceremony will feature the Parade of Nations, cultural performances and the formal opening of the Games, with Olympic medallists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain leading the Indian contingent as flagbearers. Competition begins on Friday, July 24, and concludes with the closing ceremony on Sunday, August 2.
Where to watch the Commonwealth Games live?
Fans across the world will be able to follow every major event through official broadcasters and streaming platforms.
In Australia, the Games will be broadcast live on the Seven Network, including Channel Seven, 7mate and 7plus.
In the United Kingdom, viewers can watch live coverage on TNT Sports, HBO Max, Channel 5 for the opening ceremony, along with coverage on BBC ALBA and S4C in regional languages.
In India, the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games will be broadcast live on television on the Sony Sports Network and Doordarshan (DD Sports). Digital live streaming will be exclusively available on the Sony LIV app and website
Fans can also follow event schedules, results and updates through the official Commonwealth Games digital platforms throughout the competition.
What time will the events begin?
Competition will begin every day at approximately 8:30 AM local time in Glasgow and continue until around 10:00 PM local time.
Swimming and athletics finals, traditionally among the biggest attractions of the Games, are scheduled during the evening session in Glasgow between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM local time, ensuring prime-time viewing for local audiences.
Which sports are part of the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
Unlike previous editions, Glasgow 2026 features a streamlined programme comprising ten sports. Sports such as cricket, hockey, wrestling, badminton, rugby sevens and table tennis will not feature in this edition due to the reduced programme adopted by the organisers.
The sports on the schedule are:
- Athletics & Para Athletics
- Swimming & Para Swimming
- Artistic Gymnastics
- Track Cycling & Para Cycling
- Netball
- Weightlifting & Para Powerlifting
- Boxing
- Judo
- Lawn Bowls & Para Bowls
- 3×3 Basketball & 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball
Team India athletes to watch
India heads into Glasgow with genuine medal hopes across multiple disciplines. Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra returns to the Commonwealth Games after missing Birmingham 2022 and will look to reclaim the men’s javelin title he won in 2018. He is expected to face one of the strongest Commonwealth fields ever assembled.
Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu will once again lead India’s weightlifting campaign and enters the Games as one of the favourites to win a third Commonwealth gold medal. Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain and world champion Jaismine Lamboria headline India’s boxing squad, which is expected to be among the country’s biggest sources of medals.
The athletics contingent also features Murali Sreeshankar, Praveen Chithravel, Sarvesh Kushare, Gulveer Singh and Parul Chaudhary, while India’s Para athletes will look to continue their impressive rise on the international stage.
The first day of competition will feature action in 3×3 basketball, lawn bowls, boxing and swimming, before athletics, weightlifting, gymnastics and cycling begin over the following days. India’s busiest medal days are expected to come during the athletics and weightlifting competitions, while boxing finals towards the end of the Games could significantly boost the country’s tally.
The Commonwealth Games have always been more than just medals. They celebrate sporting excellence, inclusivity and the spirit of competition across the Commonwealth. With a compact schedule, world-class athletes and several Olympic champions set to compete, Glasgow 2026 promises ten days of high-quality sporting action.
For Indian fans, it is another opportunity to witness some of the country’s biggest sporting stars compete on one of the world’s grandest multi-sport stages.
