Key Points
- Sports including hockey, rugby sevens and cricket will not be included in the 2026 Commonwealth Games program.
- Diving, badminton, squash and table tennis have also been left out, with only 10 events remaining.
- The sports have been cut as a cost-saving measure after the Games were relocated from Victoria to Scotland.
Hockey, rugby sevens and cricket are among the big-name Commonwealth Games casualties, axed from the pared-back Glasgow program in 2026.
Next year's Games, relocated to Scotland after Victoria's withdrawal as host, will feature just 10 events, which is nine less than the previous edition held in 2022 in Birmingham.
Other sports left out include diving, badminton, beach volleyball, mountain biking, rhythmic gymnastics, squash and table tennis.
Athletics and swimming were the only sports guaranteed a spot on the program, which also includes track cycling, weightlifting, 3x3 basketball and lawn bowls — all of which include a para equivalent.
Netball, artistic gymnastics, judo and boxing round out the chosen 10.
Squash Australia boss Robert Donaghue said the news was heartbreaking to the country's top players, who were set to use the Games to prepare for the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
"Today's announcement is a blow to the players who have had their dream of competing in the Commonwealth Games taken away from them," he said.
"With Rachael Grinham carrying the flag into the opening ceremony in 2022 and Australia contributing 11 gold and 33 total medals since 1998, Australia has achieved great success in a sport which has been part of the fabric of the Commonwealth Games for a quarter of a century."
Hockey Australia was similarly disappointed to be axed given the strength of Commonwealth nations in the sport and the existence of the 2014 venue.
National hockey bodies in countries such as England, India, New Zealand and even Scotland had jointly lobbied for inclusion.
"I know I join all our Commonwealth compatriots in saying we hope this is a temporary adjustment to the Games schedule," Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles said.
The Kookaburras remain unbeaten at the Commonwealth Games, while the women's team, the Hockeyroos, have medalled at every event.
Scotstoun Stadium, which will host the athletics, is also the home of the Glasgow Warriors rugby union side, meaning there's an existing field for sevens rugby.
The Glasgow 26 organising committee cited "operational challenges" for not hosting any sports other than track and field at the complex.
"Since it was incorporated into the Commonwealth Games, rugby sevens has been one of the event's most popular and engaging formats," Rugby Australia said in a statement.
"The Australian women's team had hoped to defend the Commonwealth Games gold medal won before a packed stadium in Birmingham two years ago and the men's side, having just achieved their best result at an Olympics in Paris this year, were similarly confident of a strong showing in Glasgow."
Why have sports been cut from the Commonwealth Games?
As a cost-saving measure, the 10 sports will be spread across just four venues: Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena (including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome) and the Scottish Event Campus.
That dictated which sports were included, although sevens could be considered unlucky given Scotstoun Stadium, which will host the athletics, is also home of the Glasgow Warriors rugby union side.
About half the number of athletes who competed in Birmingham are set to be in Glasgow, with the reduced cost contributing to the decision to cut weighty team sports.
Cricket has been cut from the Commonwealth Games. Source: AAP / Dave Hunt
According to the Glasgow 2026 organising committee, the Games "is about delivering a lighter and leaner programme of sports to ensure that we strike a balance between ensuring the event has a high-quality multi-sport feel but that can be delivered to the highest level in a short time-frame on a budget which does not rely on public funds to deliver the Games".
Australia's chef de mission Petria Thomas said the experience would still be memorable for the Australian team, who topped the medal count in Birmingham with 180, including 67 gold.
"We knew the Games were headed to Glasgow, and we now know when they'll be and the sports that will take part — it's an exciting milestone in our preparations," Thomas said in a statement.
"We are committed to an experience for Australia's team that exceeds Birmingham, with no stone to be left unturned as we target both performance and memories that last a lifetime."
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held from 26 July to 2 August.
