The passing of Queen Elizabeth II seems to have influenced the Commonwealth Games 2026, particularly concerning the venues and the reduced number of sports featured in this major event. Originally, the host city was to be Victoria, Australia, but rising costs associated with hosting 22 sports have compelled the city to withdraw. The Commonwealth Games have always held a special place for the late queen, who played a significant role in popularizing this event among the 74 Commonwealth nations, home to nearly 2.5 billion people—about one-third of the world’s population.
Following Victoria's withdrawal, Glasgow, Scotland, has been announced as the new host for the Commonwealth Games 2026. However, this change in venue does not alleviate the financial concerns; consequently, the number of sports has been downsized to just 10. These include athletics, para-athletics, swimming, para-swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling, para-cycling, netball, 3x3 basketball, boxing, judo, bowls, para-bowls, weightlifting, and para-powerlifting.
This reduction poses significant challenges for the Indian sports community, as many athletes have been preparing for the competition for the past two years. In the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, India secured 61 medals, with more than half coming from sports like badminton, wrestling, table tennis, cricket, hockey, and squash—all of which will not be featured in Glasgow 2026.
Competing on such an international platform allows Indian athletes to showcase their talents, gaining visibility and recognition. Success at the Commonwealth Games fosters a sense of national pride and encourages youth participation in sports. Pullela Gopichand, Chief National Coach of the Indian badminton team, expressed his disappointment regarding the downsizing: “The management of the Commonwealth Games should reconsider their decision to strip down the number of sports. Indian sports invest significantly in athletes to prepare for the CWG, and this budget-friendly approach feels like a setback for all of us.”
Badminton has been part of the Games since 1966, and its exclusion is difficult to accept. The gold medals won by Indian teams in the men’s and women’s categories during the CWG 2018 were pivotal moments for Indian badminton. Craig Fulton, an Indian hockey coach, described the situation as “unfortunate,” noting that the gold medal in the upcoming CWG was a major goal for the Indian hockey team.
The reality behind these changes is concerning; there seems to be a diminishing interest in hosting the Commonwealth Games. In the last six editions, five have been held in Australia or the United Kingdom. The projected cost for CWG 2026 has soared to $6 billion, up from an initial estimate of $2.6 billion. Malaysia also declined the opportunity to host, leaving Glasgow to step in. Additionally, Victoria will pay $380 million as compensation for failing to honor its hosting commitment.
While the Commonwealth Games have historically played a significant role in promoting sports in India, fostering performance and participation, the current trajectory appears to hinder this progress. Increased focus on sports at grassroots levels could inspire future talent, but the fate of the CWG reflects a retreat into the remnants of a bygone colonial legacy.