By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
The question is being asked in certain quarters: are the Commonwealth Games (the Games), the next edition of which takes place in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July - 2 August 2026, dead?
Officially they are not dead, but they are in a severe crisis of sustainability and face an uncertain future.
The Games, which were first held in 1930, are a quadrennial international multi-sports event, that brings together athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations, which is a political association comprising most of the former territories of the former British Empire.
Following the withdrawal, in 2023, of the Australian State of Victoria from hosting the 2026 Games, due to increasing unsustainable costs, which now exceed US$ 1 billion (around €847.4 million), the future of them has been thrown into doubt. In fact, auditors have described them as a "waste of taxpayer money".
However, as mentioned, Glasgow has stepped in to host a slimmed down edition of the 2026 Games, with only around 10-13 sports involved. Rugby sevens, cricket and hockey having been dropped.
In fact, to survive, The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the Governing Body of the Games, is changing their model for good, advising future hosts to use existing venues, co-host the Games with other nations, and house athletes in hotels, rather than in purpose-built athletes’ villages.
Whilst Scotland has saved the 2026 Games, their long-term future remains in doubt, with the Canadian Province of Alberta having withdrawn its interest for hosting the Centenary Games in 2030.
Despite the crisis, the CGF remains optimistic that a new, cheaper model will save the Games for 2030 - and onwards!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘