Scottish Government Warns of "Reputation and Financial Risks" in Glasgow's Bid to Host 2026 Commonwealth Games

The Scottish government has issued a stark warning regarding the potential "reputation risk as well as financial risk" of hosting a curtailed 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Talks have been ongoing for several months to bring the event to Scotland, after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew as hosts due to escalating costs. However, concerns remain over the feasibility of delivering a scaled-back version of the Games within a tight timeline.

First Minister John Swinney had previously made it clear in August that no public funds would be committed to a potential bid. Despite this, Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) has continued to push for the event, insisting that its proposal would not require financial support from the government. With the clock ticking, the Scottish government has been pressed to provide a definitive stance as the timescale to secure more than £100 million in capital from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is now critical.

In the Holyrood parliament on Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary Neil Gray provided an update on the ongoing discussions, revealing that talks have "intensified" between the Scottish government, the UK government, and Commonwealth Games officials. A final decision is expected to be made in the coming weeks.

However, Gray stressed that significant challenges remain before any commitment can be made, acknowledging that the scaled-back Games present both opportunities and risks.

"It is precisely because we understand the potential benefits, as well as the importance to elite sport in Scotland, that we continue to consider this," Gray stated. "However, there are risks that we need to bottom out. It’s a new concept, it’s untested, the figures we are being quoted are ambitious, so we need to be mindful of that."

Gray underscored that this version of the Commonwealth Games would be markedly different from the one Glasgow hosted in 2014. With fewer sports and venues involved, the project would be significantly smaller in scope.

"This is not a replica of the 2014 Games. This is a smaller version, with fewer sports over fewer sites, so therefore there is a reputation risk as well as financial risk," he added.

Gray also acknowledged the high standards that Glasgow and Scotland have set in hosting major international events, cautioning that any misstep could damage that reputation. "Glasgow and Scotland have an international reputation for hosting major events incredibly successfully, so we need to make sure this concept is right."

One of the key concerns is whether the Games can be delivered in the limited time available, with Gray warning that "every passing day makes delivering the event more challenging."

As discussions continue, the Scottish government remains cautious about committing to the 2026 Commonwealth Games, weighing the potential benefits against the risks of staging the event in such a compressed format. A final decision is expected in the coming weeks, leaving Glasgow's potential bid hanging in the balance.