Badminton and Hockey Dropped from 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will feature a significantly reduced lineup of sports, with badminton and hockey notably absent from the roster. Announced on Tuesday, the stripped-back program includes just 10 sports, with athletics and swimming mandated, alongside others like track cycling, boxing, and gymnastics.

Boxing is another of the ten sports that will return to Glasgow

Glasgow stepped in to host the event after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew due to rising costs. The Games, last held in Glasgow in 2014, will take place from July 23 to August 2, 2026, across four established venues: Emirates Arena, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), and Scotstoun Stadium. Organizers have confirmed that no new venues will be built, though upgrades like temporary seating will be added to accommodate the events.

An estimated 3,000 athletes from up to 74 Commonwealth nations and territories will compete, with six of the selected sports featuring fully integrated para-competitions. Despite the excitement surrounding the return of the Games to Glasgow, athletes and fans of sports not included, such as badminton and hockey, have expressed disappointment.

Reaction to Exclusions

Kirsty Gilmour, a badminton player who won silver and bronze in previous Games, described the news as "painful." Speaking on BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland, she lamented the exclusion of all racquet sports, particularly for younger athletes. "It’s a fairly significant blow," Gilmour said. "I’ve had four Commonwealth Games, I’ll be fine, but for younger players, this would be a major milestone."

Scottish Hockey CEO Derek Keir echoed the sentiment, expressing deep disappointment at the exclusion of hockey, a sport that has been part of the Games since 1988. He highlighted the national hockey centre, built for the 2014 Games at a cost of £5 million, which will now not be used.

Balancing Act for Organizers

Ian Reid, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, explained that the decision was based on a range of factors, including the number of venues, home nation success, and the number of athletes involved. He noted that including hockey would have required an additional venue and a larger accommodation plan for the influx of athletes.

Organizers stressed that the 2026 Games would still deliver an exciting spectacle. Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) CEO Katie Sadleir said the event would be a "truly immersive festival of sport and celebration of culture and diversity," while First Minister John Swinney described it as a unique opportunity for Scotland.

Slimmed-Down Sports Program

The Games will feature the following 10 sports:

• Athletics and para-athletics (track and field only)

• Swimming and para-swimming

• Artistic gymnastics

• Track cycling and para-track cycling

• Netball

• Weightlifting and para-powerlifting

• Boxing

• Judo

• Bowls and para-bowls

• 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball

Some sports have had their disciplines scaled back. Track cycling, for instance, will be limited to indoor events, excluding mountain biking and road races, which were part of the 2014 Games. Gymnastics will also be restricted to artistic disciplines, with no room for rhythmic gymnastics, while diving will be entirely omitted.

There will be no road-based events like the triathlon or marathon, which were popular in 2014 as they were free for spectators. Rugby sevens, previously hosted at Ibrox Stadium, will also not feature, with organizers citing "technical reasons" for its exclusion.

However, 3x3 basketball was selected due to its ease of integration with para-sport and its appeal to younger audiences. Colin Gregor of Basketball Scotland hailed the inclusion as a "great opportunity for a sport that’s really growing."

Economic Impact and Planning

With an estimated cost of £114 million, the Games are expected to bring in £150 million to the local economy. Organizers predict audience numbers will be around half of those for the 2014 event. An estimated 500,000 tickets will be available for sale.

Funding for the event includes £100 million from the CGF, £2.3 million each from Commonwealth Games Australia and the UK government, with the remaining balance expected to come from ticket sales, broadcast rights, and commercial sponsorships.

Accommodation for athletes and officials will be spread across existing hotels in the city, with student accommodation also being considered. This has raised concerns about the availability of lodging for spectators, but Reid assured that Glasgow’s hotel infrastructure would meet the demand.

The event promises to be a significant moment for Scotland, with organizers confident in delivering a memorable Games while maintaining a focus on cost-efficiency and local legacy.