A momentous decision has been made: Scotland, and specifically Glasgow, will host a scaled-back version of the Commonwealth Games in 2026. The timing of the announcement is symbolic: 10 years since Glasgow 2014.
Commonwealth Games Scotland has offered a new concept for the Games; one that prioritises sustainability, inclusion and reduced spending. I have said for some time that major sports events need to be thought of and delivered differently if other nations are to be given the chance to deliver them. Sport is seen as a force for good, so surely, that should also mean more than the big four (Australia, Canada, UK and New Zealand) hosting the Games; only a handful of other nations have hosted them.
This new model offers a scaled-down event, focusing on 10 sports within existing venues, and no road races, meaning less money spent on policing, security, road closures etc. This model would allow other smaller nations the potential to host the Games and benefit from the force for good that sporting events can offer. Why should this be limited to the larger nations? In 2026, smaller nations will be looking to Glasgow to see how the Games can be delivered differently.
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With the announcement confirmed, it's fitting to reflect on the 2014 Games and their legacy and consider what that might mean as Glasgow prepares to welcome the competition once again. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase Scotland to the world, and the Games promise to be another unforgettable festival of sport and culture.
The University of the West of Scotland’s Centre for Culture, Sport and Events, in conjunction with Spirit of 2012 and administered by Focaldata, has recently (May, 2024) conducted what is believed to be the largest-ever survey of the perceptions and memories of the legacy of Glasgow 2014 of the people of Scotland. The survey, which gathered responses from 1,151 people across Scotland, revealed overwhelmingly positive results. Seventy-five per cent of respondents agreed that the 2014 Games boosted national pride in Scotland, and the same percentage believed the event enhanced Scotland’s reputation abroad. This aligns with the UK Sport and the British Council’s perspective that major sporting events provide an opportunity to showcase a nation globally, attracting trade and investment and increase our soft power.
The legacy of Glasgow 2014 is clear: around three-quarters of respondents believed the Games helped secure other major events. Since then, Glasgow has hosted the International Paralympic Committee World Swimming Championships, Euro 2020, the European Athletics Indoor Championships, the UCI Cycling World Championships, and World Indoor Athletics. Beyond sports, the city hosted the MTV Europe Music Awards and COP26. The 2014 Games laid the foundation for these successes, showcasing Glasgow’s infrastructure and expertise. This track record was key in awarding the 2026 Games to Glasgow, which ranks 30th in the top 100 sport cities (2023).
Our findings suggest that well-planned and executed sporting events, like Glasgow 2014, continue to create positive memories long after the event concludes. Now, the city’s legacy is poised to include another Commonwealth Games in 2026, a fitting continuation of Glasgow's event-hosting prowess. With the infrastructure in place, the city stands ready to host a pared-back version of the Games, ensuring the event's continuity.
As we look back at Glasgow 2014, it is clear that the Games solidified the city’s status as a world leader in event hosting, leaving a lasting impact that the public continues to recognise and celebrate.
The importance of the Games to Glasgow's economy, social impact and civic pride cannot be overstated.
Hosting an international event of this scale is expected to provide a significant economic boost to the city, generating revenue through tourism, local business engagement, and job creation.
The economic impact is estimated at £150-20 million this time. The arrival of visitors, from athletes to global spectators, will bring increased spending across numerous sectors, reinforcing Glasgow's reputation as a hub for world-class events. Additionally, the investment in local infrastructure and venues further strengthens the city's long-term economic prospects, ensuring benefits that will extend well beyond 2026.
The 2014 Games left an indelible mark on the city's identity, uniting communities and showcasing Scotland’s welcoming spirit to the world. The continued success of the Volunteer Hub from the last Games has sparked enthusiasm, with many people keen to contribute again. Hosting the Games again gives the people of Glasgow a unique opportunity to rally around their city and demonstrate, once more, their capacity to stage an event of global importance.
These Games are unique in that the Commonwealth Games Federation offered £100m to host the Games and the Australian Commonwealth Games Federation offered a last-minute boost to ensure the Games would go ahead. In a time of economic and financial crisis, it had to be clear that the Games would not rely on the public purse. UK and Scottish Government agreed to underwrite the Games only if needed for national security reasons and so the Games secured the backing they needed from all parties. The partnership approach has proved vital to the Games going ahead with only 22 months to deliver them.
Glasgow is at the forefront of offering a new model that will see future legacy not only for Scotland, but for many other smaller nations in the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Sports Association has grown to 74 nations as two more nations, Gabon and Togo, joined the Commonwealth in 2022, showing that countries still want to be part of a wider Commonwealth.
Given 26 African nations are part of the Commonwealth, we could well see one of these nations take on the baton in future. The Games can unite, contribute to peace and diversity and as King Charles III’s first Games, what better way to renew, revise and re-grow a different legacy for the Commonwealth Games, than one that is built on inclusion, diversity and sustainability.
Glasgow has set a new bar with its plan for an innovative Games, and we are very excited to lift it.
Professor Gayle McPherson is Director of the Centre of Sport, Culture and Events at University of the West of Scotland and an independent advisor for Glasgow 2026
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