New Delhi: In a significant blow to India’s sports aspirations, the Commonwealth Games Federation has announced that several high-profile events will be absent from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The decision, revealed on October 22, confirms that traditional medal-rich disciplines including wrestling, hockey, badminton, cricket, and shooting will not be part of the Games, severely impacting India’s potential for medal success.The upcoming Games will feature a much leaner program, consisting of only ten sports, which is a reduction of nine events compared to the 2022 edition held in Birmingham. This decision is part of a broader strategy to manage rising costs and streamline logistics, making the event more financially sustainable. Alongside the major exclusions, other sports like table tennis, squash, and triathlon will also be removed from the roster.The Commonwealth Games Federation explained the rationale behind these changes, stating, “The Games will include ten sports to balance a multi-sport atmosphere while managing financial and operational risks.” The organization emphasized that the intent is to uphold the spirit of the Games while addressing budgetary constraints.The finalized list of retained sports for 2026 includes athletics and para-athletics (track and field), swimming and para-swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling and para-track cycling, netball, weightlifting and para-powerlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and para-bowls, and 3×3 basketball along with 3×3 wheelchair basketball. This selection reflects a shift towards sports that encourage broader participation across the Commonwealth and support inclusivity for para-athletes.Scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 2, 2026, the Games will return to Glasgow for the first time since 2014, utilizing four primary venues: Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena (which includes the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome), and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). Unlike previous editions that featured an Athlete’s Village, competitors will be accommodated in hotels throughout the city, a measure aimed at further cost reduction.The exclusion of these key sports has notably dampened India’s prospects for a robust medal haul, especially given its historical strength in shooting, which has also been omitted from previous Games due to logistical concerns. The absence of hockey is particularly noteworthy, as it coincides with the scheduling of the Hockey World Cup just weeks before the Commonwealth Games, further complicating India’s chances in this sport.
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