Cricket removed from Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

In a blow to India's medal chances at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, host city Glasgow has dropped cricket from the Games due to low budget. Glasgow has selected and shortlisted budget-friendly sports for the Games.

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Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Katie Sadleir said in a statement, "The 2026 Games will be a bridge to the Commonwealth Games of tomorrow - an exciting first step in our journey to reset and redefine the Games as a truly collaborative, flexible and sustainable model for the future that minimises costs, reduces the environmental footprint, and enhances social impact - in doing so increasing the scope of countries capable of hosting."

10 events will be played in 2026 Commonwealth Games

Hockey, badminton, wrestling, shooting, Table tennis, squash, and triathlon have also been dropped to limit the budget and streamline logistics. Only four venues in Glasgow will host the entire Games. The total number of events at the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be ten, fewer than the 2022 Birmingham edition.

Among the sports that have been removed from the Commonwealth Games, India had finished on the podium in the previous edition in Birmingham in 2022. India had won 61 medals, including 22 gold, in the last edition of the Games. 12 in wrestling, seven each in boxing and table tennis, six in badminton, two each in hockey and squash and one in cricket – more than half of the total medals.

Cricket was re-introduced after 24-year gap

Cricket was re-introduced after a 24-year gap in the Commonwealth Games 2022 in which the Indian women's team won the silver medal. Australia won the gold, beating India in the final, and New Zealand won the bronze. Back in 1998, South Africa had won the men's 50-over gold, with Australia winning silver and New Zealand winning bronze.

The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games will start from July 23 in 2026 and will continue till August 2 in Glasgow, Scotland, returning to the city 12 years after the hugely successful 2014 Commonwealth Games.

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Reason behind the exclusion of these sports

The 2026 Commonwealth Games were earlier to be held in Sydney, Australia, but the Kangaroo country had backed out citing financial constraints as the reason. Then Glasgow had shown interest in these games with some conditions, it had presented a plan to organize these games with fewer games, which was approved by the Commonwealth Federation, that is why 6 games have been excluded.