In a blow to India’s medal prospects in the Commonwealth Games, several high-profile disciplines, such as hockey, badminton, wrestling, cricket and shooting, have been dropped from the 2026 edition by host city Glasgow, which unveiled a pruned roster of 10 disciplines to keep the event budget-friendly.
In addition, Table tennis, squash and triathlon have also been axed in a bid to limit the cost and streamline logistics given that only four venues will host the entire showpiece.
The total number of events at the Games will be nine fewer compared to the 2022 Birmingham edition.
This decision is a significant blow to India’s medal prospects, as many of the nation’s previous Commonwealth successes have come from these excluded sports.
Announcing Glasgow as the host for the 2026 edition of CWG on Tuesday, the Commonwealth Games Federation statement read, “The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games will take place in Scotland from Thursday 23 July to Sunday 2 August 2026…It will feature a 10-sport programme concentrated across four venues within an eight-mile corridor.”
The 10 sports that have been included in the programme are athletics and para athletics (track & field), swimming and para Swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling and para track cycling, netball, weightlifting and para powerlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and para bowls, and 3×3 basketball and 3×3 wheelchair basketball.
“The Games will include 10 sports – striking a balance between ensuring the event has a multi-sport feel and the need to manage financial and operational risk,” the Commonwealth Games Federation said in a statement.
However, several athletes and federations have voiced their concern about the decision.
Glasgow is hosting the Commonwealth Games for the second time in 12 years, having previously hosted the games in 2014.
The Games will take place across four venues — Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena – including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).
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Para-athletes have been a part of the Games since the 2002 Manchester edition and will continue to be there in the 2026 edition as well.
