Rugby and cricket cut from 2026 Commonwealth Games

Sri Lanka Men’s Rugby Team lost to Uganda 19-38 at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham (File photo) 

The global rugby community has led a chorus of disappointment after 12 sports were shunted from the 2026 Commonwealth Games, following the announcement of the programme for the streamlined event to be held in Glasgow.

Rugby sevens, hockey and cricket were the highest-profile sports to be axed as part of Glasgow’s 11th-hour offering to help salvage the Commonwealth Games, prompted by last year’s withdrawal of Victoria as host.

World Rugby issued a statement saying it was a blow to fans and players but declared the sport still “has a huge role to play in the future of the Games”.

The Scottish organisers have whittled the programme back from the 22 which had been planned for Victoria to just 10 sports in the cut-price Glasgow edition, which will be based in just four inner city venues.

In addition to core sports athletics and swimming, 3x3 basketball, artistic gymnastics, boxing, judo, lawn bowls, netball, track cycling and weightlifting will be part of the event. Victoria held the rights to host the 2026 event but withdrew last year, triggering negotiations with the Commonwealth Games Federation and ultimately leaving the state with a bill of $589m.

Rather than a traditional athletes’ village, participants in 2026 will stay in pre-existing accommodation. Venues for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in the city will be re-used: athletics at Scotstoun Stadium, swimming at Tollcross, track cycling at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and indoor sports will be hosted at the SEC.

Badminton, beach volleyball, diving, non-track cycling, rhythmic gymnastics, squash and table tennis have also been culled.

The Commonwealth Games will continue to offer Para-events as part of a single event, unlike the Olympics which is separate from the Paralympics.

The 2026 Games will run between July 23 and August 2.

The last time the Games were in Glasgow, 17 sports were contested - this time they will feature 10 sports: Athletics and Para-athletics (track and field only), swimming and Para-swimming, Artistic gymnastics, track cycling and Para-track cycling, netball, weightlifting and Para-powerlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and Para-bowls, 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball. (Agencies)