The Commonwealth Games are right here, with fewer sports activities, extra nations and an unsure future

Victoria was presupposed to be gearing as much as welcome athletes from all over the world for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Instead, the competitors is getting underway in Glasgow, Scotland.

The 2026 occasion was originally awarded to Victoria. However, the state withdrew in July 2023 due to increasing costs.

It was feared this choice might result in the video games changing into extinct.

However, after discussions with quite a few totally different cities, Glasgow was confirmed because the substitute host city in September 2024.

So, what does this yr’s occasion seem like, who’re the Australians to observe and what does the long run maintain for the video games?

What are the Commonwealth Games?

Similar to the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games is a long-standing worldwide sports activities occasion held each 4 years, apart from cancellations throughout world wars.

In distinction to the Olympics, they’re open solely to nations inside the Commonwealth of Nations: predominantly English-speaking former colonies of the British Empire.

In truth, the video games have been known as the British Empire Games after they started in 1930.

The title Commonwealth Games has solely been used since 1978.

This yr would be the 23rd Commonwealth Games. Most earlier editions have been hosted by larger Commonwealth countries reminiscent of Australia (5 instances), Canada (4), England (4) and New Zealand (three).

The Commonwealth nations symbolize a mixed 2.5 billion individuals: practically a third of the whole world inhabitants.

A smaller occasion than standard

The Commonwealth Games has at all times had fewer sports activities and fewer athletes than the Olympics. However, the 2026 occasion shall be even smaller than standard.

Glasgow’s pitch for internet hosting the 2026 video games consisted of a scaled-down model.

The Birmingham 2022 video games included 20 sports and greater than 5,000 athletes.

Glasgow 2026 will function 3,000 athletes competing in ten sports activities.

But the 2026 occasion could have the largest built-in para sport program in Commonwealth Games historical past. Six of the ten sports activities could have a para equal.

The inclusion of Gabon and Togo additionally means a report 74 nations shall be contesting occasions.

To save money, the ten sports activities shall be unfold throughout simply four venues, all inside a 12 kilometre hall in central Glasgow.

Athletes and assist employees will keep in hotel accommodation fairly than an athletes’ village. The opening and shutting ceremonies may also be smaller.

Many of the omitted sports activities are team sports, which tremendously decreased the variety of athletes, and related prices reminiscent of transport and lodging.

Others reminiscent of aquatics, biking and gymnastics are nonetheless included however have fewer events (reminiscent of biking, which now not consists of highway biking or mountain biking).

Many sports activities are understandably disappointed to not be included, particularly rugby, squash and hockey, whose governing our bodies argue acceptable venues exist already in Glasgow.

Officials have acknowledged athletics and swimming would be the solely compulsory sports at future Commonwealth Games. So, all of the sports activities omitted for 2026 may very well be included once more in future events.

The Australians with a watch on gold

Australia boasts reigning Commonwealth champions and medal chances in practically each sport on the 2026 program.

They ought to once more be one of many teams to beat after topping the Birmingham 2022 medal desk with 67 golds.

Direct comparisons and predictions are troublesome, as a result of Glasgow could have fewer sports activities and gold-medal events.

Swimming remains Australia’s largest gold mine. The 60-member Dolphins team shall be headlined by Mollie O’Callaghan, Cam McEvoy and Kyle Chalmers, alongside main para swimmers reminiscent of Tim Hodge and Lakeisha Patterson.

Australia gained 25 swimming golds in Birmingham and has the depth to dominate once more.

Athletics additionally offers main possibilities.

Olympic pole vault champion Nina Kennedy returns because the defending Commonwealth champion, as does Kurtis Marshall within the males’s pole vault.

Olympic silver medallist Jess Hull will contest the mile and 5,000 metres, whereas Olympic bronze medallist and defending discus champion Matt Denny is one other main prospect.

Other key athletics medal chances embody:

The Diamonds are ranked primary in world netball and can defend their title, though New Zealand, England and Jamaica guarantee gold is way from automated.

What does the long run maintain?

Is public curiosity within the Commonwealth Games fading? The proof is combined.

The host mannequin is underneath stress, as Victoria’s withdrawal and Glasgow’s compact replacement present. The occasion’s governing physique, Commonwealth Sport, has responded with a “Games Reset” meant to make future occasions extra versatile and related.

They hope the smaller mannequin can increase the variety of cities willing to host future video games.

Audience curiosity has not disappeared in Australia. Channel Seven reported Birmingham 2022 reached 11.1 million Australians on broadcast tv – equal to roughly two in 5 Australians – and a couple of.15 million viewers used 7plus.

This was substantial, however beneath the roughly 20 million Australians reached by the current Tokyo and Paris Olympics.

Organisers for the 2026 Commonwealth Games additionally reported robust Glasgow ticket demand, with the swimming pool and velodrome just about sold out three months earlier than the occasion.

Australia’s medal rush ought to entice viewers however the video games’ future will rely upon reasonably priced internet hosting, robust tales, inclusion and advantages that stay after the podiums are packed away.