2026 Commonwealth Games announcement 'a huge relief'

Glasgow received essential backing this week to host the event 

The Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association (IOMCGA) says the announcement the 2026 event is now set to take place in Glasgow is 'a huge relief' for Manx athletes and officials.

Yesterday (17 September) it was confirmed the Scottish government had backed a deal to hold the games in the city in just under two years' time, replacing the previous hosts of Victoria, Australia who pulled out last summer.

However, the upcoming occasion will be a 'scaled-down' games involving ten as yet unconfirmed sports - seven less than when the city last welcomed the event ten years ago.

IOMCGA President Basil Bielich says whilst it's good to have some more certainty around the matter, he admits some difficult conversations will have to take place when it's announced which sports will be cut:

It's being reported that the compulsory sports of swimming and athletics will be included and take place at Tollcross International Swimming Centre and Scotstoun Stadium respectively.

No other disciplines have been confirmed at this stage.

BBC Scotland is reporting the games are expected to cost in the region of £114m which will not come at a cost to the public purse and is funded by compensation to the CGF following Victoria's withdrawal.

Previous hosts for 2026 - Victoria state in Australia - officially withdrew from holding the event in July last year, blaming rising costs for the decision.

At the previous games in Birmingham in 2022, the Isle of Man took its largest ever Commonwealth team with 34 athletes representing the Manx flag across eight sports.

Meanwhile, whilst news this week will be welcomed by many, the Isle of Man team's Chef du Mission says many questions remain unanswered.

Yesterday it was announced the Scottish government had approved financial backing for a 'scaled-down' games to be held in Glasgow in just under two years time.

Under the proposals there would only be ten as yet unconfirmed sports at the event compared to 17 when the Scottish city last held the games ten years ago.

Erica Bellhouse says they will have no input over what those sports could be and also had some advice for any aspiring athletes who're currently unsure about whether or not they'll have the chance to compete there: