18 CGAs, from five regions of the Commonwealth, were represented by more than 40 delegates, which included a selection of Chef de Missions, team lead and support staff, who will help their respective associations prepare for next year’s Games.  

Glasgow 2026 will be UK biggest sporting event in the UK next year and will feature 10 sports and 6 Para sports, during an action-packed 11-day programme. Running from 23 July to 2 August and bring together 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories. 

Chief Executive Officer Phil Batty OBE was among those to welcome visitors across the three-day visit, with key briefings on sport, transport, accreditation and security. These were all among many important areas discussed by Glasgow 2026 representatives, with CGAs also given the opportunity to ask questions relevant to their delegation.  

The delegates also enjoyed site visits, as well as tours, of key Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth venues, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Arena, Scotstoun Stadium and Scottish Event Campus (SEC). 

 Speaking about the Open Day’s, Assistant Secretary General of the Commonwealth Games Association of Barbados Shelley-Ann Griffith said, “These sessions have been tremendously helpful. More than lived up to expectations. I think for us it’s important to come and see the wheels turning, and to go back and prepare for it. I think it also gives us a chance to get excited, as we are all going to be speaking with one voice.  

“I think the most exciting thing for me, having been here in 2014, is most, if not all the footprint is going to be reused and the fact that a lot of it has been used by the community since 2014, I think is really great. Because I don’t think you get that in many host cities. A lot of the time, when we talk about sustainability, it’s not actually done, but Glasgow has done it.” 

Australia provided the largest number of traveling athletes to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and will again be expected to be among the largest CGAs come Glasgow 2026. 

Australian Chef de Mission, Petria Thomas said: “It’s been fantastic to be here and listen to the briefings by the OC and sharing the enthusiasm and positive will for the Games. There are some great people involved who are really passionate and I think there was a genuine sense of good will within the room who all want to work together to make this a real success.  

“I think everyone is really grateful that our Scottish friends have stepped up and taken this by the horns and are running with it. The Commonwealth Games has a special place in the hearts of Australians and there has certainly been a lot of commitment from our athletes to be here and be at their best next summer.” 

The next major gathering of CGAs will take place at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow, in late November. 

 Glasgow 2026 Chief Executive Phil Batty said, “It’s been joyful to welcome so many Commonwealth Games Associations to Glasgow this week. The Open Days are a moment for us to reflect on our preparations and provide key updates to those individuals within Commonwealth Games Associations who will be supporting athletes to get ready for next summer’s Games.” 

“Glasgow 2026 is a reimagined Games, built around a revitalised event delivery model, so it’s vital that we have the confidence and enthusiasm of the CGAs as we evolve the Games and move into the next phase of planning. It was wonderful for CGAs to have the opportunity to visit our world class venues, meet key staff and stakeholders, and receive essential information on progress and operational delivery.”  

“We look forward to welcoming all 74 Commonwealth nations and territories back Glasgow later this year for the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in November.” 

ENDS