'Sports coming in and out': Fears as scaled-back Glasgow 2026 program to feature fewer sports

There are fears for the future of several sports with Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) boss Craig Phillips confirming the scaled-back Glasgow 2026 could include as few as 10 sports.

On Wednesday, the Scottish government agreed for Glasgow to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the Victorian government pulled out last year citing cost blowouts.

The agreement comes after Commonwealth Games Scotland secured support from the UK government, as well as an additional contribution from CGA worth roughly $4.5 million.

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With financial support secured, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) can now formally award the Games to Glasgow in the coming weeks.

But while the latest instalment may save the quadrennial event for the time being, the program will undergo extensive changes for sustainability purposes.

CGA is a member-based organisation that provides funding to 22 member sports.

Addressing the Scottish government's announcement on Wednesday, Phillips confirmed that up to 12 sports could be cut from the program at Glasgow 2026.

"The indications are that there'll be 10 to 13 sports on the program," he told media.

"That's still being worked through by Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Commonwealth Games Federation as to what that looks like.

"There's going to be sports coming in and out of the program. What we need to make sure is that what we do in an Australian context is look after the ones that drift in and out.

Phillips said the only sports promised a place in the program were athletics and swimming — with both national sporting bodies having backed Glasgow's bid.

"The only sports that are guaranteed are athletics and swimming because they are core sports on the program and the rest will flow from there based on the venues to be used," he said.

Phillips did not wish to speculate on the events that could be left out or if the program would favour individual or team sports.

"When you look at the venue footprint that has been selected for the Games, I think that will give some indication of the types of sport that might be on the program," he said.

"Athletics will be at Scotstoun [Stadium], we know Tollcross [International Swimming Centre] will have swimming, Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome obviously for track cycling and then we have the Scottish Event Campus which is essentially a complex of indoor venues.

"So, I think it starts to show you the direction but again, I don't want to preempt the final decision.

"The reality is, the games can only be a certain scale and some sports will miss out, unfortunately. All we can do is look after them as best we can and make sure we're supporting them through all of this."

For the omitted sports, Phillips said CGA would work with them to create a financial framework that propels them towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

"Once we get a firm program, we will then work with our member sports in terms of how they stay part of our family because we want them to stay part of our family regardless of whether they are on the program or not, but also what that means from a funding perspective," he said.

"It's a bit early yet to be able to tell you what that looks like but we'll certainly be telling them later in the week that there are things we're now looking at into the future. The first thing we need is a confirmed program.

"Many of [these sports] are also Olympic sports and Paralympic sports, so while they may miss out on the Commonwealth Games competition, they still have their pathway through to Brisbane 2032."

The CGF will confirm the dates, venues and sports comprising the 2026 Games shortly.