When do the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 start? Here's what's happening on the first two days and how to watch - including the Opening Ceremony, bowls, gymnastics and swimming
This week sees the start of 11 days of sport in Scotland’s biggest city.
It’s already been an incredible summer of sport, with Spain winning the World Cup at the weekend.
And now sports fans’ attention will move to Glasgow as it hosts the Commonwealth Games.
Last time the city held the event in 2014 it was a huge success - with many hailing it as the best Games ever.
Read more: Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026: Full 10 day schedule announced - here's what to watch and when
This year it’s been scaled back somewhat after Glasgow stepped in at the last minute when Victoria in Australia abandoned plans to host due to spiraling costs.
But there will still be lots of sporting action, Opening and Closing Ceremonies and, like in 2014 (remember the dancing Tunnocks Tea Cakes?), volunteers will be at the heart of the action.
Here’s everthing you need to know about the first couple of days of action.
When are the Glasgow Commonwealth Games?
The Games take place from July 23 to August 2. It will feature 10 days of sport (plus bowls on Thursday before the official Opening Ceremony) in four venues, welcoming over 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories of the Commonwealth to compete in a programme of 10 sports and six Para sports.
When is the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 Opening Ceremony?
The Opening Ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 23.
Where is the Glasgow Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony taking place?
The Opening Ceremony will be staged in the OVO Hydro - the first time it has been held in an arena in Games history.
What will happen at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony?
There will be a host of Scottish talent appearing at the Opening Ceremony which starts at 8pm.
Singer songwriter KT Tunstall, who is currently on a world tour, will return to Scotland to headline with Glasgow 2026 Opening Ceremony, performing her much loved hits in one of the world’s best live entertainment venues.
Hot off the heels of their World Cup anthem, Nathan Evans and Saint PHNX will bring their anthemic sounds and Tartan Army spirit to a home crowd as the cast start to tell the story of the city.
They’ll be joined by homegrown hero, singer songwriter Callum Beattie who is no stranger to the venue having sold out a Hydro headline show this year and Nina Nesbitt, famed for her storytelling through music, will perform a reimagined version of a much-loved Scottish track.
Electronic-trad band Valtos, one of Scotland’s most exciting live acts, have teamed up with a number of different musicians from across the Commonwealth to soundtrack the ceremonial Parade of Nations. The Skye band’s signature sound, blending traditional Scottish and electronic music, will fill the arena when athletes and teams from the 74 nations and territories step out and present their Baton.
They will be joined by a cast of 600 volunteers from across Glasgow, Scotland and beyond.
Can I still get tickets for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony?
If you’d like to go along to the Opening Ceremony there are still tickets available here, priced from £45.
When does the sporting action get underway at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games?
While the Games don’t get properly started until Friday, July 24, the bowls and para bowls gets started a day earlier on Thursday, July 23, from 9.30am to 4.15pm at the SEC Hall 3.
The full schedule for the first day proper, on Friday, July 24, is as follows:
- 8.30am - 2.15pm: Bowls and Para Bowls (SEC Hall 3)
- 10am - 1.30pm: 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball (SEC Hall 4)
- 10am - 4pm: Gymnastics - Artistic (The Arena)
- 10.30am - 12.58pm: Swimming and Para Swimming (Tollcross International Swimming Centre)
- 11am - 2.30pm: Boxing (SEC Hall 5)
- 1pm - 4.30pm: Para Powerlifting (SEC Armadillo) Medal Event
- 2.30pm - 6pm: 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball (SEC Hall 4)
- 3pm - 10.15pm: Bowls and Para Bowls (SEC Hall 3)
- 5.30pm - 9.15pm: Gymnastics - Artistic (The Arena) Medal Event
- 6pm - 9.30pm: Para Powerlifting (SEC Armadillo) Medal Event
- 6pm - 9.45pm: Boxing (SEC Hall 5)
- 7pm - 9.30pm: 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball (SEC Hall 4)
- 7pm - 10pm: Swimming and Para Swimming (Tollcross International Swimming Centre) Medal Event
Can I still get tickets for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games?
There are still tickets available for most sessions of sport. You can check availability and prices here.
Can I watch the Glasgow Commonwealth Games on television?
The BBC has traditionally been the home of the Commonwealth Games, but this year the corporation were outbid by TNT Sports.
They will provide over 600 hours of live action, with TNT Sports 2 broadcasting live every day from 8.30am to 10.30pm and promising to include all the biggest moments.
Live coverage in the UK is being shown by TNT Sports, across its TV channels and streaming platform HBO Max, with more than 600 hours of live action promised across the 11 days.
TNT Sports 3 and 4 will carry single-sport coverage, while their live event feeds on HBO Max will mean every event is available to stream.
You can subcribe to watch all coverage from £30.99 per month.
Meanwhile, Channel 5 will have daily highlight programmed throughout the Games presented by former Olympic sprinter, Jeanette Kwakye. and will also broadcast the Opening Ceremony live.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.