Cricket will not feature at the 2026 Commonwealth Games (CWG), which are scheduled to be held in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August.
This edition of the quadrennial event will include only ten sports, resulting in the exclusion of cricket, which made its return to the CWG in 2022 as a women’s T20 competition. Cricket last appeared at the Games in 1998, when a men’s ODI event was part of the Kuala Lumpur Games.
While no specific explanation was given for the omission of cricket, along with other sports such as field hockey, badminton, shooting, and wrestling, Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Katie Sadleir offered insight into the broader vision.
“The 2026 Games will be a bridge to the Commonwealth Games of tomorrow,” she said, describing it as a move towards a more collaborative, flexible, and sustainable model.
The aim is to reduce costs, minimise the environmental footprint, and enhance social impact, thereby expanding the number of countries capable of hosting future editions.
Budgetary limitations seem to be a contributing factor behind the streamlined programme. Glasgow stepped in as host after Victoria’s late withdrawal and, in a bid to minimise expenditure, the city opted to utilise existing venues and accommodation, rather than investing in new infrastructure, resulting in a reduced sports line-up.
Nevertheless, cricket is set to return to the global stage at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, marking its comeback after a 128-year absence. Both men’s and women’s T20 events will be included. Cricket’s reappearance at the CWG in Birmingham 2022 saw Australia clinch gold in the women’s T20 final, defeating India, while New Zealand secured bronze.
At the 1998 Games, South Africa triumphed in the men’s 50-over event, with Australia and New Zealand taking silver and bronze, respectively.
Cricket also featured in the 2022 Asian Games, held in 2023 in Hangzhou due to the pandemic, where India won gold in both the men’s and women’s T20 competitions.
In October last year, the International Olympic Committee officially confirmed the inclusion of men’s and women’s T20 cricket for the 2028 Olympics.
LA2028 local organising committee director Niccolo Campriani highlighted the importance of the sport’s growth in the United States, driven by the launch of Major League Cricket and the forthcoming men’s T20 World Cup in 2024, to be co-hosted by the US and the West Indies. (JC)
