Dropped sports are still key to future Commonwealth Games, says chief executive
Hockey, squash and diving are among the sports which will not feature in the upcoming Commonwealth Games, but the chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation has highlighted that these sports could still be crucial in future events.
The Scottish city of Glasgow was announced as the host city of the 2026 Commonwealth Games after stepping in to replace the Australian state of Victoria, which had withdrawn from hosting duties. The CGF officially confirmed Glasgow as the host on Tuesday morning.
While sports like hockey, squash, and diving will be absent from the 2026 Games, only 10 sports have been selected to take place at four venues. The selected sports include athletics, swimming, track cycling, gymnastics, netball, weightlifting, boxing, judo, bowls, and 3×3 basketball.
Despite the disappointment expressed by international federations like squash and shooting at being left out of the Games, CGF boss Katie Sadleir reassured them that these sports could still play a significant role in future editions of the Commonwealth Games.
Sadleir emphasised that the decision on which sports make the programme is always a challenging one, with only athletics and swimming being compulsory at every Games. The rest of the sports are open for discussion and negotiation between the host and the Commonwealth Games Federation.
She pointed out that the programme of sports for the 2030 centenary Games could look quite different, indicating the potential inclusion of sports like hockey, squash, and diving in the future.
The decision to exclude certain sports from the Glasgow Games was made with the aim of achieving a balance between offering a multi-sports event and managing athlete numbers and costs, given the limited timeframe before the Games begin on July 23, 2026.
The World Squash Federation and Scottish Squash expressed disappointment at squash’s exclusion but remain committed to supporting athletes and enhancing their skills for future opportunities in the Commonwealth Games.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will host all sports across four venues within an eight-mile corridor, accommodating around 3,000 athletes and support staff in hotels. The Games are expected to bring £100 million in inward investment to the city without requiring any public funding.
The chief executive of Commonwealth Games Scotland, Jon Doig, described the Glasgow 2026 Games as “cost-effective” and highlighted that the event will deliver the drama, passion, and joy expected from the Commonwealth Games while being more accessible and bringing fans closer to the action.
Glasgow 2026 promises to uphold the spirit of the Commonwealth Games and provide a memorable experience for athletes, support staff, and fans from around the world.