Glasgow will host the Commonwealth Games in 2026 if the Scottish government can reach an agreement.
Neil Gray, the health secretary, who is also responsible for sports policy in the cabinet, told the press that he is in talks with Commonwealth Games Australia. It follows the assurance of “a multi-million pound investment” by Australian officials to facilitate Glasgow’s offer to save the multi-sport tournament. However, Gray cautioned that the event would not be on the same scale as the Games previously hosted by Glas
Gray admitted: “Reputationally my worry and the government’s worry has always been that there is going to be a comparison with the incredibly successful 2014 games, which by any stretch of the imagination both in terms of the performances, the spectacle that it was and the legacy, were going to be hard to match… But I’m hopeful that if we are able to recognise that if we are to go ahead, this is a different games, this is a smaller event.”
“Fewer sports across fewer sites but with good collaboration we could see something coming forward that is still positive for Glasgow and for Scotland,” he added.
Because of growing expenses, the Australian state of Victoria decided not to host the Games in 2026.
On having fewer sports
Glasgow also hosted the 2014 Games. Now, the host is almost certain to confirm a redesigned competition with fewer sports.
Following years of difficulty for the tournament, the 2026 event would only have 10 to 13 sports, as opposed to 18 in 2014. Moreover, in order to minimize costs, only four locations—including the Tollcross International Swimming Centre and Scotstoun Stadium—would be utilized in 2026.
Source: BBC