Commonwealth Games 2026: Major Sports Excluded Amid Budget Cuts
The upcoming Commonwealth Games in 2026 have seen a significant shift in their structure, impacting India’s medal prospects. Scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, the event will feature only 10 sports due to budget constraints. Key disciplines where Indian athletes have historically excelled, such as hockey, badminton, shooting, and wrestling, have all been removed from the program, leading to concerns about India’s performance.
This edition marks Glasgow’s return as the host city after 12 years, following the 2014 Games. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has confirmed that the Glasgow 2026 Games will feature a reduced schedule compared to the 19 sports held during the 2022 Birmingham edition. Notably, cricket, table tennis, squash, and road racing have also been excluded from the competition lineup.
The rights to host the Commonwealth Games were originally granted to Victoria, but the state withdrew last year due to financial difficulties, prompting Glasgow to step in as the host. This change reflects ongoing challenges faced by organizing committees in managing costs and maintaining the Games’ attractiveness.
In an official statement, the CGF outlined the sports that will be included in the 2026 program. The lineup features 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, 3×3 basketball, 3×3 wheelchair basketball, bowls, and para-bowls.
The venues for the Games will encompass four key locations: Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena (including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome), and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). Athletes and their support teams will be accommodated in local hotels during the event, providing them with necessary facilities.
India’s Stronghold Sports Excluded: A Major Setback
India has historically performed strongly at the Commonwealth Games, with a substantial medal tally in the now-removed sports. The country’s success has largely been driven by accomplishments in hockey, badminton, shooting, and wrestling. The absence of these events in the upcoming Games poses a significant challenge for India, which could affect its overall medal count.
The exclusion of shooting is particularly detrimental. India has amassed an impressive 135 medals in this sport, including 63 golds, making it one of the nation’s most successful disciplines at the Commonwealth Games. Additionally, wrestling has contributed 114 medals across various weight categories, further solidifying India’s strength in these competitions.
Hockey’s removal is another significant blow, as India’s men’s team has secured three silver and two bronze medals in the past. The women’s team has also made its mark, winning three medals, including a historic gold in 2002. The loss of badminton, where India had planned to defend multiple titles, adds to the disappointment, with the country having won a total of 31 medals (10 gold, 8 silver, 13 bronze) over the years.
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The absence of cricket, which saw India return to the competition with a women’s team silver in 2022, is another missed opportunity for medal contention. Furthermore, the omission of squash and table tennis, events where Indian athletes have shown promise, further diminishes India’s chances of success at the Commonwealth Games 2026.
In summary, the reduced sports program for the Commonwealth Games 2026 poses significant challenges for India, impacting its medal prospects and the nation’s overall representation in sports where it has historically excelled.
