The Commonwealth Games 2026 are all set to begin later tonight in Glasgow, Scotland, with athletes from across the Commonwealth competing for medals. However, unlike previous editions, fans will notice the absence of several marquee sports that have traditionally been among the biggest attractions of the Games.
Cricket, hockey, badminton, wrestling and several other disciplines have been left out of the Glasgow 2026 Games after organisers opted for a scaled-down version of the event. The decision has significantly reduced the number of athletes participating and has also impacted prospects for several nations, including India and Australia, which have historically excelled in many of these sports.
ALSO READ: Commonwealth Games 2026: Full Schedule, Opening Ceremony Date, Time and Where to Watch Live
Which Sports Were Dropped From Commonwealth Games 2026?
The following nine sports have been excluded from the Glasgow 2026 programme:
- Cricket
- Hockey
- Badminton
- Wrestling
- Table Tennis
- Squash
- Triathlon
- Beach Volleyball
- Rhythmic Gymnastics
The reduced programme means the Games will feature only 10 sports, down from 19 disciplines at Birmingham 2022, making Glasgow 2026 the smallest Commonwealth Games in decades.
For countries like India, the exclusions are particularly significant as badminton, wrestling, table tennis, hockey and cricket have consistently contributed a large share of the nation's medal tally.
Why Were These Sports Removed From Glasgow 2026?
The removal of these sports was not based on popularity or competitive standards but on financial and logistical realities.
Originally, Victoria, Australia, was given the hosting rights for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. However, the Victorian government withdrew after estimating that the cost of staging the event could escalate to AUD 6-7 billion, leaving the future of the Games uncertain.
With little time remaining, Glasgow stepped in as a replacement host to ensure the event survived. However, organisers could only do so by adopting a much smaller and more affordable model.
Budget-friendly Games
To avoid placing a financial burden on taxpayers, the Commonwealth Games Federation and Glasgow organisers agreed on a shorter version of the Games.
Instead of hosting 19 sports as Birmingham did in 2022, Glasgow trimmed the programme to just 10 core disciplines, drastically reducing operational expenses, venue costs and athlete accommodation requirements.
Four-venue Model
One of the biggest changes is the use of only four existing venues, all located within an eight-mile radius of Glasgow.
This compact model eliminates the need for additional infrastructure and reduces transportation costs. However, it also made it impossible to stage sports requiring large, specialised venues or extensive outdoor facilities.
Cricket, hockey and several other disciplines simply could not fit into the limited infrastructure available.
No Athletes' Village
Unlike previous Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2026 does not feature a dedicated athletes' village.
Instead, competitors will stay in hotels and student accommodation across the city. Reducing the number of participating athletes by removing team sports such as cricket and hockey made this accommodation model feasible.
Lack Of Cricket Infrastructure
Another major reason behind cricket's exclusion is venue availability. Unlike Birmingham, which used Edgbaston, Glasgow does not possess a permanent international-standard cricket stadium capable of hosting a multi-nation tournament. Building or upgrading facilities within the restricted budget was practically impossible.
ALSO READ: Commonwealth Games 2026: Check Neeraj Chopra's Javelin Event Schedule And Match Details
Calendar Congestion
For hockey, organisers faced a packed international calendar, with the Men's Hockey World Cup scheduled just two weeks after the Commonwealth Games, making player availability and tournament planning increasingly difficult.
ICC's Focus On Los Angeles 2028 Olympics
With cricket set to make its return to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has shifted much of its planning and resources toward ensuring a successful Olympic debut rather than prioritising its inclusion in a scaled-down Commonwealth Games.
The Commonwealth Games 2026 are all set to begin later tonight in Glasgow, Scotland, with athletes from across the Commonwealth competing for medals. However, unlike previous editions, fans will notice the absence of several marquee sports that have traditionally been among the biggest attractions of the Games.
Cricket, hockey, badminton, wrestling and several other disciplines have been left out of the Glasgow 2026 programme after organisers opted for a scaled-down version of the event. The decision has significantly reduced the number of athletes participating and has also impacted medal prospects for several nations, including India and Australia, which have historically excelled in many of these sports.
Which Sports Were Dropped From Commonwealth Games 2026?
The following nine sports have been excluded from the Glasgow 2026 programme:
Cricket
Hockey
Badminton
Wrestling
Table Tennis
Squash
Triathlon
Beach Volleyball
Rhythmic Gymnastics
The reduced programme means the Games will feature only 10 sports, down from 19 disciplines at Birmingham 2022, making Glasgow 2026 the smallest Commonwealth Games in decades.
For countries like India, the exclusions are particularly significant as badminton, wrestling, table tennis, hockey and cricket have consistently contributed a large share of the nation's medal tally.
Why Were These Sports Removed From Glasgow 2026?
The removal of these sports was not based on popularity or competitive standards but on financial and logistical realities.
Originally, Victoria, Australia, was given the hosting rights for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. However, the Victorian government withdrew after estimating that the cost of staging the event could escalate to AUD 6-7 billion, leaving the future of the Games uncertain.
With little time remaining, Glasgow stepped in as a replacement host to ensure the event survived. However, organisers could only do so by adopting a much smaller and more affordable model.
Budget-friendly Games
To avoid placing a financial burden on taxpayers, the Commonwealth Games Federation and Glasgow organisers agreed on a lean version of the Games.
Instead of hosting 19 sports as Birmingham did in 2022, Glasgow trimmed the programme to just 10 core disciplines, drastically reducing operational expenses, venue costs and athlete accommodation requirements.
Four-venue model
One of the biggest changes is the use of only four existing venues, all located within an eight-mile radius of Glasgow.
This compact model eliminates the need for additional infrastructure and reduces transportation costs. However, it also made it impossible to stage sports requiring large, specialised venues or extensive outdoor facilities.
Cricket, hockey and several other disciplines simply could not fit into the limited infrastructure available.
No Athletes' village
Unlike previous Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2026 does not feature a dedicated athletes' village.
Instead, competitors will stay in hotels and student accommodation across the city. Reducing the number of participating athletes by removing team sports such as cricket and hockey made this accommodation model feasible.
Lack Of Cricket Infrastructure
Another major reason behind cricket's exclusion is venue availability. Unlike Birmingham, which used Edgbaston, Glasgow does not possess a permanent international-standard cricket stadium capable of hosting a multi-nation tournament. Building or upgrading facilities within the restricted budget was practically impossible.
Calendar Congestion
For hockey, organisers faced a packed international calendar, with the Men's Hockey World Cup scheduled just two weeks after the Commonwealth Games, making player availability and tournament planning increasingly difficult.
ICC's Focus On Los Angeles 2028 Olympics
With cricket set to make its return to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has shifted much of its planning and resources toward ensuring a successful Olympic debut rather than prioritising its inclusion in a scaled-down Commonwealth Games.