In a significant blow to India’s medal prospects, several key sports including hockey, badminton, wrestling, cricket, and shooting have been excluded from the 2026 Commonwealth Games, to be hosted by Glasgow.
The decision, aimed at keeping the event budget-friendly, was announced as the host city unveiled a streamlined roster of just 10 sports disciplines. Other sports like table tennis, squash, cricket, and netball have also been dropped as part of cost-cutting measures.
The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games, scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 2, marks Glasgow’s return as a host city after 12 years, having previously hosted the event in 2014. However, the total number of events in 2026 will be nine fewer than the 2022 Birmingham Games, presenting a leaner version of the global sporting spectacle.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) released a statement outlining the sports program, which will now feature athletics and para-athletics, swimming and para swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling and para cycling, netball, weightlifting and para powerlifting, boxing, judo, bowls, and 3×3 basketball and wheelchair basketball.
These sports will be staged across just four venues within an eight-mile radius in Glasgow, including Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena, and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).
India’s stronghold games removed
India, traditionally strong in several of the dropped sports, faces a major challenge at the upcoming Games. Hockey, a sport in which India has consistently excelled, will be particularly missed. The men’s team has won three silver and two bronze medals, while the women’s team has also made its mark, securing three medals, including a historic gold in 2002. The omission of badminton, another crucial discipline for India, could be equally damaging. India has won 31 medals in badminton, including 10 golds, and was expected to enter the 2026 Games as defending champions in men’s and women’s singles, as well as men’s doubles.
Shooting, which has earned India 135 medals, including 63 golds, 44 silvers, and 28 bronzes, has also been axed from the program. Wrestling, another major contributor to India’s medal tally with 114 medals (49 gold, 39 silver, and 26 bronze), will also be missing from the 2026 roster. The exclusion of these disciplines is a severe blow to India, as these sports have consistently provided a significant number of medals at past Commonwealth Games.
Shooting was removed due to logistical issues
The CGF explained that shooting’s exclusion was due to logistical issues, as the nearest suitable venue, the Barry Buddon centre in Dundee, is over 100 kilometers away from Glasgow. Additionally, hockey’s omission may be linked to scheduling conflicts with the 2026 Hockey World Cup, which will take place just two weeks after the Commonwealth Games in Wavre, Belgium, and Amstelveen, Netherlands.
Originally, the Australian state of Victoria was set to host the 2026 Games but withdrew due to rising costs, prompting Scotland to step in as the new host. With Glasgow’s pruned-down schedule, India’s hopes for a strong medal haul in 2026 are now clouded with uncertainty.
