Bowls included in Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games Federation has today officially announced Glasgow as the host city of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games will take place in Scotland from Thursday 23rd July - Sunday 2nd August 2026, returning to Glasgow 12 years after the hugely successful 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Glasgow 2026 will feature a 10-sport programme concentrated across four venues within an eight-mile corridor, ensuring an action-packed broadcast schedule across each day of competition and making the event accessible and appealing to spectators looking to enjoy the multi-sport environment and festival feel. The Games will take place at Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena – including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). Details of the venue Bowls will be held in, the disciplines contested, number of athletes competing and format have still to be confirmed at this time.
Working with Commonwealth Games Scotland, World Bowls and a number of other stakeholders to support the sport selection process, Bowls Scotland are delighted that Bowls has been included within the 10 sports that will feature at the Games.
Bowls has been one of the core sports since the Commonwealth Games’ inception in 1930, featuring at every games since apart from 1966 in Kingston, Jamaica. Scotland have won an incredible 21 gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze medals in this time, making it one of the nation’s most successful sports.
Speaking on Bowls’ inclusion in the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Bowls Scotland’s Head of High Performance Bowls, Kareena Cuthbert, said: “Since June when the Games concept was presented to sport’s governing bodies by Commonwealth Games Scotland, there was a limited window to provide supporting information for the sport selection process. Engagement with World Bowls and other stakeholders has been critical to ensure we were able to align with the concept restrictions and specific venue criteria.
“It has been a nail-biting time whilst we waited for Commonwealth Games Scotland to explore the viability of proposals from all sports and secure the government support required to give the green light for the Games to go ahead.
“We are delighted with our inclusion in this innovative new concept which will generate the buzz and excitement that all major events bring to the city. Importantly for Bowls, it provides a fantastic platform to showcase our sport to a worldwide audience. The fully integrated para programme is a great advert for sport in Scotland and personifies the values of the Commonwealth Games and Bowls Scotland in providing an inclusive, modern and accessible sport for all.”
Read the Commonwealth Games Federation's official announcement here.
Read World Bowls' official announcement here.