The 2026 Commonwealth Games are set to commence in Glasgow from Thursday, July 23, bringing together athletes from 74 nations and territories. This year’s event follows Scotland’s stepping in to host after Victoria withdrew in mid-2023, leading to a condensed program featuring 10 core sports. While fan favorites like swimming, athletics, lawn bowls, and netball are included, some sports such as rugby sevens, hockey, cricket, beach volleyball, and table tennis will not feature. Australia, the top nation at the Birmingham 2022 Games, faces the absence of key gold medalists Ariarne Titmus, who has retired, and Kaylee McKeown, who withdrew due to illness. Beyond the main events, several compelling storylines and individual athletes are poised to capture attention.
Debutants and Established Stars Take Center Stage
Actor-Turned-Athlete Makes Para-Powerlifting Debut
In a unique crossover, Australian bodybuilder and actor Daniel Bos will make his Commonwealth Games debut in para-powerlifting. The 29-year-old, known for his roles in productions like ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ and ‘Spartacus: House of Ashur,’ balances his acting career with elite athletic training. Bos will compete in the men’s lightweight division starting July 24. He views his bodybuilding background as complementary to his strength training, providing consistent motivation through lifting goals.
Gymnast Chasing Historic Medal Haul
Australian gymnast Georgia Godwin is on the cusp of making history. With eight Commonwealth Games medals already to her name, she needs just one gold in Glasgow to surpass Allana Slater’s record as Australia’s most decorated female gymnast at the Games. Slater achieved her record of three golds, four silvers, and one bronze across the 1998 and 2002 Games. Godwin’s journey to Glasgow is particularly inspiring, having recovered from an Achilles injury sustained just months before the 2024 Paris Olympics. She aims to defend her 2022 all-around and vault gold medals, expressing pride in representing Australia again after her challenging recovery.
Boxing’s New Generation Steps In
For the first time since 2002, Australia will field an entirely new boxing team, with eight debutants entering the ring. Among them is Emma-Sue Greentree, currently ranked world number three in the 75kg division. Greentree transitioned from athletics to boxing nearly a decade ago, discovering a natural talent that propelled her to the top ranks. With her closest international competitors not participating in the Commonwealth Games, Greentree is considered a strong favorite for the gold medal. Her bout begins on July 24.
Rivalries and Comebacks to Watch
Cycling’s Controversial Switch
The velodrome is set for a potentially heated contest involving Matthew Richardson. The Australian cyclist, who won Olympic silver in the sprint and keirin at the 2024 Paris Games and Commonwealth gold in the sprint and team sprint in 2022, has controversially switched his allegiance to the United Kingdom following the Paris Olympics. This move has drawn criticism, and his races against former Australian teammates like Leigh Hoffman, Daniel Barber, Ryan Elliott, and Tayte Ryan are highly anticipated.
Lawn Bowls: The Quest for a Three-Peat
Aaron “Disco” Wilson, a crowd favorite known for his exuberant celebrations, is aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal in lawn bowls. After winning gold on the Gold Coast in 2018 and defending his title in Birmingham in 2022, Wilson is driven by the increasing competition. He expressed his continued hunger for victory and determination to bring another gold medal home for Australia.
Weightlifting: Another Three-Peat Bid
Eileen Cikamatana, the 26-year-old weightlifter, is also pursuing a historic third consecutive gold medal. Cikamatana achieved this feat in 2018 and 2022, but with a unique distinction: she represented Fiji when she won gold in 2018 before switching to Australia. This makes her the first woman to win individual Commonwealth Games gold medals for two different nations. She is motivated to defend her title for Australia, with her competition scheduled to begin on July 26.
Royal Presence and Entertainment
Opening Ceremony with Royal Flair
The opening ceremony, scheduled for July 24 at Glasgow’s The Hydro arena, will feature the attendance of King Charles and Queen Camilla. King Charles will deliver a message he placed within the King’s Baton, which has completed a journey across all 74 Commonwealth nations since March 2025. The ceremony will also include performances by Scottish artists KT Tunstall, Nathan Evans, Saint PHNX, Callum Beattie, and Nina Nesbitt.
Actor Takes on DJ Role
Fans of the TV series ‘Outlander’ will recognize actor Sam Heughan, who plays Jamie Fraser. Heughan will be taking on an unexpected role at the Games as an official DJ. His debut set is scheduled for July 24, coinciding with the para-powerlifting events.
Australian Dominance Expected in Netball
The Netball Diamonds Aim to Defend Title
Netball is an event where Australia, known as the “Diamonds,” is expected to excel. As the reigning Commonwealth Games champions, having defeated Jamaica in the 2022 final, the Australian team is the most successful netball nation in the Games’ history. Coach Stacey Marinkovich has selected a blend of experienced players, led by captain Liz Watson and vice-captain Kate Moloney, alongside emerging talent. Australia is grouped in Pool A with England, South Africa, Malawi, Tonga, and Northern Ireland, commencing their campaign against Tonga on July 25.
Family Ties in Judo
Sibling Success in the Dojo
The Australian judo team features two sets of siblings. 2022 gold medalist Aoife Coughlan will compete alongside her sister Maeve, while brothers Vas and Saya Middleton will make their Games debuts together. Aoife expressed her excitement not only to defend her title but also to share the experience with her sister, highlighting the special bond it creates.
The Commonwealth Games will run from July 23 to August 2, with extensive coverage available on Seven.
