Scottish Gov Backs Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Bid

The Scottish Government has officially backed Glasgow's bid to host a scaled-down version of the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew due to rising costs. The event will feature between 10 to 13 sports, significantly fewer than previous editions, and will be funded by £100 million from the Commonwealth Games Federation and £2.3 million from Commonwealth Games Australia. The UK Government will also contribute £2.3 million for security on the condition that the Scottish Government matches the amount. The Glasgow proposal emphasizes minimizing financial risks and using existing facilities to keep costs low. Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray highlighted that the event will bring economic and sporting benefits, while Commonwealth Games Federation President Chris Jenkins expressed confidence in the scaled-down model.