Commonwealth Games: Countdown to Glasgow 2026 begins with King Charles
The King of England, King Charles, launched the inaugural Sport Baton Relay for the 2026 event at Buckingham Palace on Monday's Commonwealth Day. Placing his message inside, he passed it to Chris Hoy, marking 500 days until the Opening Ceremony.
The 74 nations and territories are celebrating the milestone as the Baton begins its global journey, returning for the inauguration on 23 July 2026.
The Caribbean is the first stop, starting in Trinidad and Tobago on 11 March and concluding in St Vincent and the Grenadines on 14 June, before continuing through Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Americas, and Europe.
Glasgow 2026 will feature a 10-sport programme across four venues within a 15-kilometre radius. Over 10 days, more than 200 gold medals will be awarded, including a record 47 Para-sport events.
The venues include Commonwealth Arena & Chris Hoy Velodrome, the Scottish Exhibition Centre (SECC), Scotstoun Stadium, and Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
The sports program lists athletics and para-athletics, basketball 3x3 and wheelchair basketball 3x3, bowls and para-bowls (indoor), boxing, cycling and para-cycling (track), gymnastics (artistic), judo, netball, swimming and para-swimming, weightlifting and para powerlifting. For the first time, each of the 74 Commonwealth nations and territories will receive a Glasgow-crafted baton, allowing them to showcase their culture.
The 18th official Baton Relay will be the longest in Commonwealth Games history, with each nation and territory having up to six days to celebrate.
"We are delighted that The King is launching a Baton Relay reimagined for this new era, connecting the Commonwealth and celebrating culture, diversity, and, through our partnership with the Royal Commonwealth Society, a shared sustainable future," Commonwealth Sport president Chris Jenkins said
