The Commonwealth Games faced an uncertain future following Victoria’s withdrawal as host in 2023, leaving the major international multi-sport event in jeopardy. Glasgow stepped in on short notice to organize the 2026 Games, pulling together an edition of the competition in less than 20 months. Despite challenges, including the BBC’s decision not to televise the event, Glasgow’s Games drew significant attendance and enthusiasm, selling 434,000 of 500,000 tickets and reaching 87% venue capacity.

The 2026 Games featured memorable performances, including Josh Kerr’s strong showing in the mile and Emily Campbell’s impressive weightlifting. South African swimmer Chad le Clos, a Commonwealth medal record holder, shared personal reflections on his father Bert’s battle with cancer, highlighting the human stories behind the competition. The closing ceremony took place under unusual circumstances, rehearsed in a limited space due to ongoing events, yet still delivered with a live performance by Simple Minds.

Looking ahead, the 2030 Commonwealth Games are set to be hosted in Amdavad (Ahmedabad), India, promising a grand spectacle. The opening ceremony is planned for the Narendra Modi Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 132,000. India aims to showcase a larger variety of sports—between 15 and 17 compared to Glasgow’s 10—divided into core, optional, and traditional categories. Core sports are expected to include athletics, swimming, gymnastics, boxing, netball, and bowls. Optional sports may include cricket, triathlon, and hockey, while two traditional sports can be selected, with kabaddi and yoga under consideration.

Katie Sadleir, chief executive of Commonwealth Sport, emphasized that traditional sports must have a strong presence across the Commonwealth, a recognized international federation, and compliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency requirements. This combination gives kabaddi a higher chance of inclusion than yoga, despite interest in the latter. Sadleir noted the practical challenges of enforcing doping controls during yoga competitions as an unusual scenario.

Despite the optimism surrounding India’s preparation, the broader sustainability of the Commonwealth Games remains a concern. Past hosts have experienced financial difficulties; Durban withdrew from the 2022 Games due to funding shortfalls, while Birmingham hosted at a significant financial loss. Glasgow’s Games, while successful in execution, relied heavily on a AUS$380 million payment from Victoria’s withdrawal to cover costs.

Sadleir highlighted the need to "reset, reimagine, and make the Games affordable" to ensure their continuation after 2030. She pointed to Glasgow’s ability to cut costs drastically, hosting a £160 million event compared to earlier Games costing up to £800 million, largely by leveraging existing facilities. The challenge lies in generating revenue while maintaining quality, with Glasgow securing £30 million in sponsorship in a limited timeframe.

To attract top athletes and maintain relevance, Sadleir suggested greater integration with other international competitions, including potentially using the Commonwealth Games as a qualifier for world championships. Looking further ahead, five countries, including New Zealand and Nigeria, have expressed interest in hosting the 2034 Games. She stressed that future bids will require government guarantees to avoid the financial risks seen in previous host cities, hinting at a return to Africa with Abuja as a potential candidate.

As the Commonwealth Games approach a pivotal point, organizers continue to seek a balance between sustainability, athlete participation, and maintaining the event’s spirit and stature within the global sporting calendar.