The sports axed from the 2026 Commonwealth Games

By Melissa Woods

Hockey, rugby sevens and cricket are among the big-name Commonwealth Games casualties, axed from the scaled-back Glasgow programme in 2026.

The next Games, relocated to Scotland after Victoria’s withdrawal as host, will feature just 10 events, which is nine fewer than the previous edition held in 2022 in Birmingham.

Other sports to be left out include diving, badminton, beach volleyball, mountain biking, rhythmic gymnastics, squash and table tennis.

Athletics and swimming were the only sports guaranteed a spot on the programme, which also includes track cycling, weightlifting, 3x3 basketball and lawns bowls – all of which include a para equivalent.

Netball, artistic gymnastics, judo and boxing round out the chosen 10.

Netball is among the sports to survive the cut for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

As a cost-saving measure, the 10 sports will be spread across just four venues – Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena and the Scottish Event Campus.

Athletes and support staff will stay in hotel accommodation rather than an athletes’ village.

The 2026 programme will be officially released later on Wednesday.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission