In a month of sport that has included a World Cup, Wimbledon and international cricket and rugby, you may be forgiven for missing the fact that the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony is just a day away.

After Scotland stepped in to pick up the event when Victoria pulled out at the last minute in 2024, more than 3000 athletes from 74 countries are now gathered in Glasgow for the start of competition.

While Glasgow, which hosted the 2014 edition of the Games, will be able to reuse many of its existing infrastructure, the 2026 Games will be a pared down event held over just 10 days.

So, what events are included and what are out? When and how can we watch? And what are Australia’s medal chances?

This is everything you need to know about the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

When do the Games start?

The 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games gets underway on July 23 with the opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro indoor arena, headlined by Scottish artists.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will be in attendance at the opening ceremony – the first to be held entirely indoors – along with Games mascot Finnie the unicorn, a nod to  Scotland’s national animal.

Competition begins earlier on July 23 with the preliminary rounds of the bowls and para-bowls, while 3×3 basketball, boxing, and swimming all getting underway on Friday.

Finnie the unicorn – Scotland’s national animal – is mascot for the Games. Photo: AAP

What events are included?

The 2026 Commonwealth Games features a streamlined, 10-sport program including:

• Athletics & Para Athletics (Track & Field)
• Swimming & Para Swimming
• Artistic Gymnastics
• Track Cycling & Para Cycling
• Netball
• Weightlifting & Para Powerlifting
• Boxing
• Judo
• Lawn Bowls & Para Bowls
• 3×3 Basketball & 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball

Sports included in previous Games, including cricket, hockey, rugby sevens, badminton, beach volleyball, diving, non-track cycling, rhythmic gymnastics, squash and table tennis will not be contested in Glasgow.

For a full competition guide and schedule, click here.

Why are the Games in Glasgow?

It’s been a rocky road to the Glasgow Games since Victoria was confirmed as host in 2022.

Just nine months after winning its hosting bid, in July 2023, Victoria withdrew citing rising costs associated with staging the event.

Glasgow was announced as the new host in October 2024 using existing infrastructure and scaling back the scope of the event.

Notably, this Commonwealth Games will have no Olympic village.

When and how to watch

Competition in Glasgow begins at around 8:30am local time (5:30pm AEST) each day and concludes around 10pm local time (7am the next day AEST).

Most swimming and athletics finals will be staged in the early morning in Australia  at 4am to 7am AEST.

The Commonwealth Games will be broadcast on the Seven Network in Australia on the Seven and 7mate channels and the 7plus streaming platform.

Australia has a strong contingent in Glasgow. Photo: AAP

Who are the Australians to watch?

Australia has sent a contingent of 256 athletes to Glasgow for the Games, including 60 members of the Dolphins national swimming team and 86 track and field competitors.

While Australia is expected to dominate in the pool, its medal chances have been dented by the late withdrawal of Kaylee McKeown due to a bout of glandular fever.

Seven-time Commonwealth gold medallist Kyle Chalmers will be on hand to defend his title in the 100m freestyle, while Sam Short is a favourite to claim a medal in at least one of the 400m, 800m and 1500m events.

Meg Harris, meanwhile, the 50m freestyle silver medallist at the 2022 Birmingham Games, is a strong chance to go one better in Glasgow as the Dolphins’ leading sprinter.

Australia is fielding a strong contingent for the track and field, with the notable exception of sprint star Gout Gout, who elected not to travel to Scotland, then suffered a season-ending hamstring tear during a training session in Brisbane.

Why is Gout Gout not competing at the Commonwealth Games?

Australian sprint superstar Gout Gout made the decision to skip the Commonwealth Games in February, instead electing to focus on the world under-20 championships in Eugene, Oregon. The two events run back-to-back in the northern hemisphere summer.

“It is (a big decision),” Gout told the Seven Network. “(The Commonwealth Games) is a great event and it’s one of those big meetings everyone loves. But looking at it, it is definitely a better decision going for the world under-20s.”

However, earlier this month, Gout announced he had suffered a major season-ending injury. The 18-year-old sustained an eight centimetre Grade 3C hamstring tear during a training session in Brisbane, which has ruled him out of competition for the remainder of 2026.

While Gout will not be at Glasgow, women’s sprinter Torrie Lewis has completed the perfect preparation for the Games.

Lewis smashed her own Australian 100m record and beating five-time Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah at the the Tipos PTS meet in Slovakia this week.

What can we expect from the medal tally?

Australia has won the most medals – and also the most gold medals – of any country at the Commonwealth Games.

Ahead of the Glasgow Games, Australia has a total of 2596 medals including 1001 gold, 832 silver and 763 bronze.

Australia has topped the medal tally as 13 of the past 21 Commonwealth Games and finished in the top three at every meet since the first ever Games in 1930.

Emma McKeon is the most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete with 14 gold medals. Her fellow swimmers Ian Thorpe, Leisel Jones, and Susie O’Neill are share second spot with 10 gold each.