Glasgow (AFP) – Glasgow stepped in to save the 2026 Commonwealth Games, but a slimmed down 10-sport model over the last 10 days has failed to dispel doubts over the future of the event.
Issued on: 02/08/2026 - 21:02
4 min Reading time
First held as the British Empire Games 96 years ago, the event was plunged into crisis in 2023 when the Australian state of Victoria withdrew as hosts over mounting costs.Having hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Glasgow offered a cost-effective solution with existing venues already in place. The Games were delivered at a budget of just £160 million ($216 million) compared to £780 million in Birmingham four years ago.The Indian city of Ahmedabad has been handed the baton for the centenary games in four years time, with the programme set to expand once more to between 15 and 17 sports.AFP Sports looks at the lessons of the 23rd Games and if they have a future in the modern sporting landscape.'A door opener'Situated two years either side of the Olympic Games, the Commonwealths have often proven to be a launchpad for future stars."The Commonwealth Games is where champions are made," the president of Commonwealth Sport, Dr. Donald Rukare, told AFP.
Cameroon's Emmanuel Eseme said the Commonwealth Games was a launching pad for his career © Ben STANSALL / AFP
