Cricket Cut from Commonwealth Games 2026 Amid Rising Global Presence

Cricket won't feature in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, despite its 2022 return. The decision aligns with budget cuts, affecting other sports. Cricket focuses on returning to the Olympics in 2028. The sport has gained prominence internationally, with recent successes at the Asian Games.

Cricket fans will find a notable omission in the 2026 Commonwealth Games schedule as the sport has been axed from the Glasgow edition, according to ESPNCricinfo. Despite its successful reentry in the 2022 Birmingham Games, cricket, along with several other sports like field hockey and badminton, will not be part of the now ten-discipline event.

The decision to exclude these sports has not been formally explained, though it appears to be driven by budget constraints. CWG CEO Katie Sadleir emphasized the organization's commitment to a flexible, sustainable future model, which aims to cut costs and environmental impact, according to her remarks to ESPNCricinfo.

This removal comes as cricket sets its sights on a historic comeback to the Olympics at the 2028 Los Angeles Games after 128 years. Cricket, especially in its T20 format, has been gaining traction worldwide, highlighted by its inclusion in last year's Asian Games and the growing interest across the US, marked by the inception of Major League Cricket and the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024.

(With inputs from agencies.)