Glasgow 2026 to Host Largest-Ever Para Sport Medal Event Programme in Commonwealth Games History

The upcoming Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will make history by featuring the most extensive integrated Paralympic sport medal programme ever held at the Games, with a record 47 Paralympic sport medal events set to take place across six disciplines.

Scheduled from Thursday, 23 July to Sunday, 2 August 2026, the 10-day sporting spectacle will showcase over 200 gold medals across 10 sports, concentrated within a compact eight-mile radius in the heart of Glasgow. The venues include the Commonwealth Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Scottish Exhibition Centre (SEC), Scotstoun Stadium, and the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

The ambitious programme aims to redefine inclusion, featuring fully integrated Para events in athletics, swimming, bowls, track cycling, powerlifting, and 3x3 wheelchair basketball.

“I am proud that Glasgow 2026 will see the biggest Paralympic sport medal event programme in Games’ history and will play such an important role in growing, supporting and championing Paralympic sport,” stated Phil Batty OBE, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2026.“With huge Track Cycling and Swimming programmes, the return of the iconic Mile, and expanded Para disciplines, Glasgow 2026 is shaping up to be a truly world-class celebration of sport.”

Programme Highlights:

• Track Cycling: The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome will host the largest Commonwealth Games track cycling schedule ever, including 26 medal events. The Para Track Cycling programme doubles from Birmingham 2022, with eight medal events, including the newly added C1-C3 (men) and C4-C5 (women) Time Trials and Individual Pursuits.

• Swimming: Tollcross International Swimming Centre will stage a record 56 medal events, including both Para and non-Para competitions. For the first time, the men’s 800m Freestyle and women’s 1500m Freestyle will feature.

• Athletics: Scotstoun Stadium will revive the historic Commonwealth Mile, last run in 1966. It will also debut a fully inclusive Para Athletics programme incorporating jumping, throwing, and track events—a first in Games history.

• Basketball: Following its Birmingham success, 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball expands from six to eight teams, while standard 3x3 Basketball increases to 12 teams per gender.

Katie Sadleir CNZM, CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said: "This compelling medal event programme reflects innovation and inclusion at its core. With more Paralympic medals than ever before, Glasgow 2026 promises to be a vibrant celebration of culture, sport, and diversity.”

Athletes React

Scottish world champion Fin Graham, a C3 Para cyclist, described the announcement as "unbelievable”:

“Ever since Glasgow 2014, I've wanted to ride at the Commonwealth Games. To do it in my home city, at the velodrome where I learned to ride the track, would be a dream come true.”

Olympic swimmer Katie Shanahan, who won two bronze medals at Birmingham 2022, said:

“It is a home game. I learned to swim here, and to represent Scotland in a pool I know so well will be incredibly special.”

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe welcomed the return of the Commonwealth Mile:

“The magic of the Mile continues to resonate with sports fans. A ticket to watch its final will be one of the must-have seats in Glasgow next year.”