Commonwealth Games 2026: Major Shake-Up as Hockey, Cricket, Wrestling, and More Dropped from Sports List

The Commonwealth Games 2026 is set to present a dramatically reduced roster of just 10 sports, down from the 19 featured in the 2022 Birmingham Games. In a surprising move, popular sports like hockey, cricket, wrestling, and shooting — events where India has consistently performed well — have been axed from the upcoming edition scheduled to take place in Glasgow.

The initial host, Victoria, Australia, withdrew due to spiraling costs, forcing Glasgow to step in. As a result, the event will now feature fewer sports, with key disciplines like swimming, athletics, and cycling remaining. However, many popular sports that drew substantial viewership and participation, including rugby sevens, squash, badminton, and beach volleyball, have been cut.

For India, the exclusion of hockey is particularly disappointing. The Indian men’s team is a three-time silver medalist and two-time bronze medalist, while the women’s team has a proud history, including a gold medal in 2002. Australia, the reigning men’s hockey champion with a record seven gold medals, will also feel the sting of this decision. Cricket, too, will be absent despite its successful debut in Birmingham 2022, where Australia clinched gold in women’s T20.

The move is part of a cost-cutting strategy, with the event spread across just four venues. Athletes will stay in hotels rather than the traditional athletes’ village, and some sports, like road cycling and diving, which have been fixtures since the early editions of the Commonwealth Games, are shockingly absent.

Despite these changes, Commonwealth Games Scotland CEO Jon Doig remains optimistic, asserting that Glasgow 2026 will still deliver “drama, passion, and joy.” However, with fewer sports and reduced international participation in some disciplines, the true impact on nations like India, which rely on these axed sports for their medal haul, is yet to be fully understood.

The official program is set to be released later this week, and while the focus remains on delivering a financially sustainable event, the disappointment from athletes and fans is palpable. The Commonwealth Games Federation has also faced criticism for these cuts, with many questioning the long-term viability and appeal of the Games with such drastic reductions.

image credit: myamed.com

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