NEW DELHI: The 2026 Commonwealth Games will begin on Thursday in Glasgow, Scotland. However, fans should note that many popular sports, including cricket. Apart from cricket, hockey, badminton and wrestling are also missing from this year’s programme.The number of sports has been reduced from 19 at the Birmingham 2022 Games to just 10 in Glasgow. The decision also affected India’s medal hopes as many of the country’s strongest events were dropped.
Because cricket is not a part 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow?
Cricket was dropped from the Glasgow Games mainly for financial and logistical reasons.The 2026 Commonwealth Games were originally awarded to Victoria, Australia. However, the state government withdrew as host in 2023 due to rising costs. Glasgow was later confirmed as the replacement host in September 2024, leaving organizers limited time to prepare.To keep the Games accessible and sustainable, the organizers reduced the number of sports from 19 to 10.
Was cricket ever part of the Commonwealth Games?
Yes. Cricket made its Commonwealth Games debut at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games.The competition featured only the men’s ODI format, with 16 teams participating. South Africa, led by Shaun Pollock, won the gold medal after defeating Australia in the final. New Zealand claimed the bronze medal by beating Sri Lanka.The West Indies were represented by three separate teams – Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Jamaica. India also sent a split national team, while Scotland and Northern Ireland represented the British Isles.Cricket has returned after a gap of 24 years at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, this time as an eight-team women’s T20 tournament.Australia, captained by Meg Lanning, won the gold medal. India finished with silver, while New Zealand secured bronze.
What sports have been dropped from the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
Nine sports from Birmingham 2022 have been removed from the Glasgow programme:
- Cricket
- Badminton
- hockey
- Squash
- Table tennis
- Triathlon
- Struggle
- Beach volleyball
- Rugby sevens
The 10 sports in Glasgow 2026 are:
- Athletics
- Swimming
- Track cycling
- Weights
- 3×3 basketball
- Lawn bowls
- netball
- Artistic gymnastics
- judo
- The boxing
A big blow for India’s medal hopes
The decision is a major setback for India. India finished fourth at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games with 61 medals. Half of those medals came in sports that are no longer part of the Games.India won:
- 12 medals in the fight
- 7 in table tennis
- 6 in badminton
- 2 in hockey
- 2 in squash
- 1 in cricket
These six sports alone contributed 30 medals to India’s overall tally. Shooting and archery, two other events where India has traditionally performed well, were already missing from the programme.