The 2026 Commonwealth Games, scheduled to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, will feature a significant shift as nine well-known sports have been removed from the event. This decision, which has sparked widespread debate, was made to accommodate new sports and better align with evolving interests. The exclusion of these popular sports, which have traditionally been central to the Games, marks a significant departure from previous editions and could reshape the future of the Commonwealth Games.
The sports that have been excluded are Badminton, Cricket, Hockey, Squash, Table Tennis, Triathlon, Wrestling, Beach Volleyball, and Rugby Sevens. The exclusion of these sports is bitter news for India as they are known to earn medals in these sports, especially Badminton, Hockey, and Wrestling.
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The absence of these sports from the Commonwealth Games is somewhat mitigated by the fact that the 2026 Asian Games, set to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, will also serve as a major event ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Athletes in sports like badminton, hockey, squash, table tennis, triathlon, and wrestling will still have the opportunity to compete at the Asiad, while India’s cricketers will be awaiting their turn in the spotlight during the Olympic Games.
With the exclusion of these nine sports, the 2026 Commonwealth Games will narrow its focus to a reduced lineup of just 10 core disciplines: athletics, swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling, netball, weightlifting, boxing, judo, bowls, and basketball. Additionally, para-sports will maintain a presence, reinforcing the Games’ commitment to inclusivity by providing opportunities for athletes with disabilities to compete on the international stage.
Why has the number of sports in CWG 2024 been reduced?
The 2026 Commonwealth Games were originally set to be hosted in Australia across various cities. However, financial difficulties led Australia to withdraw from hosting, resulting in the relocation of the event to Glasgow. To manage costs, the Games will be held in existing facilities within a compact area, with athletes and staff staying in current hotels rather than a newly built Commonwealth Games village. Consequently, the limited availability of only four venues resulted in the exclusion of several sports due to insufficient facilities.
This change follows the success of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where India achieved a remarkable total of 61 medals, including 22 golds, excelling particularly in wrestling, weightlifting, and athletics.
The Commonwealth Games are set to take place from July 23 to August 2, returning to Glasgow for the first time in 12 years since the 2014 edition.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
