Starting on 1st July at the Team Scotland Team Camp in Glasgow, the Baton will attend over 50 events and festivals to celebrate Team Scotland, Scottish sport, the Commonwealth, Scottish culture and the Games. 

This year the King’s Baton Relay (KBR) has been reimagined to make it easier for communities to get involved. Rather than travelling continuously through streets, the Baton will use a hub-and-spoke model, bringing it to selected events across Scotland every day.

Highlighted events include:

  • 4 July: Luss Highland Games
  • 5 July: Glasgow Mela Festival
  • 8 July: Scottish Open
  • 11 July: Orkney, One year celebration of the International Island Games
  • 16 July: HebCelt Festival
  • 19 July: British National Mountain Biking Championships

These major events will be complimented by a series of community events across Scotland, while a series of plastic clean-ups are also scheduled to contribute to the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign in partnership with the Royal Commonwealth Society, which aims to prevent one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways and oceans. 

Team Scotland gymnast Pavel Karnejenko was on hand with Glasgow 2026 mascot Finnie and Glasgow school kids at Dumfries House to announce the KBR activity. Dumfries House will host the King’s Baton on Day 2 of the Relay. 

Glasgow school kids were gathered to celebrate the culmination of the Schools’ Baton Relay, with the 34 learning communities across the city of Glasgow challenged to take on a creative design brief, developing a unique artistic identity for their Baton before sending it on its own sustainable journey around the schools and nurseries within their community.    

Pavel Karnejenko, Team Scotland gymnast, said: “It’s always a privilege to compete for Team Scotland knowing that you could be entertaining and inspiring the next generation of athletes. 

“Competing in a Home Games is something special, and the King’s Baton Relay will help build the excitement across the country ahead of the Opening Ceremony.

“As an athlete, knowing the whole country is behind you gives that extra motivation in training and competition, and hopefully the Baton will help feed that anticipation and support.” 

Sport Minister Maree Todd said: “I'm very pleased that, as part of a spectacular summer of sport, Scottish Government funding of £245,000 will help bring the King's Baton Relay to communities across the country – celebrating on a global stage what makes Scotland unique.

“As well as the major events, the free community events which complement them are a real opportunity for people to show their support for Team Scotland and the Games, as they gather to get active, connect with others, and improve wellbeing across the country.”  

Martin Reynolds, Deputy CEO, Commonwealth Sport, said: "The King’s Baton Relay is one of the most iconic traditions of the Commonwealth Games, bringing people together in celebration of sport, community and the shared values of the Commonwealth.

"As the Baton travels across Scotland this July, it will build excitement for Glasgow 2026 while also shining a light on important initiatives such as the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, using the power of sport to inspire positive change.

"We’re delighted to see communities across the country come together as we count down to what promises to be a spectacular Commonwealth Games in Glasgow."  

Jon Doig OBE, Chief Executive of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “The Scottish sector of the King’s Baton Relay is a key milestone in the build-up to Glasgow 2026. 

“With athletes coming from all parts of the country, we cherish the responsibility of representing the whole nation through Team Scotland, and the KBR gives us the opportunity to bring the Games out to communities across Scotland.

“We look forward to visiting a host of wonderful gatherings in the build-up to the Games’ Opening Ceremony.” 

George Black CBE, Chair at Glasgow 2026, said: “The King’s Baton Relay is a really special moment on the road to Glasgow 2026, and this reimagined approach means we can connect with more communities than ever before. By bringing the Baton to major festivals, events and community initiatives across the country, we’re giving more people the chance to feel part of the Games in a meaningful and memorable way.

“The strong focus on sustainability and youth engagement throughout this final leg of the King’s Baton Relay is particularly powerful, reinforcing the positive legacy not only of the Baton itself, but of the Glasgow 2026 Games as a whole.”

Jacqueline Farrell, Executive Director, Education at The King's Foundation, said: "It has been wonderful to host students and athletes at Dumfries House for the closing ceremony of the Schools’ Baton Relay and the announcement of The King's Baton Relay route around Scotland. 

“As the headquarters of The King's Foundation, we are proud to support young people being active and spending time outdoors in nature at Dumfries House - which makes this such a fitting event for us to host. We are so excited the Games are taking place a stone’s throw away in Glasgow and look forward to welcoming the Baton for its official stop at Dumfries House on 2nd July.”