Glasgow 2026 Reshapes Commonwealth Games, Axes Key Indian Medal Sports

The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has dropped key sports like hockey, badminton, wrestling, and shooting, affecting India's medal hopes. The decision aims to streamline logistics and cut costs by limiting the event to ten sports across four venues, a significant reduction from previous editions.

The Commonwealth Games Federation has made a decisive move to revamp the 2026 event, dropping traditional sports like hockey, badminton, and wrestling in an effort to streamline costs and logistics. Glasgow, stepping in as host after Victoria's withdrawal, aims for a more cost-effective approach.

The new roster features ten sports, including athletics and swimming, while iconic sports such as shooting and cricket are conspicuously absent, marking a significant setback for India, which has historically excelled in these disciplines. The Games will span four venues within an eight-mile corridor.

The revamp is expected to bring over £100 million in inward investment to Glasgow. Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Katie Sadleir emphasized the Games' commitment to reducing the environmental footprint and enhancing social impact in this new flexible model, which requires no public funding.

(With inputs from agencies.)