By Paul Jones
Hockey Wales have expressed their “deep disappointment” at the decision to drop the sport from the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Hockey – along with a number of other sports, including rugby sevens, T20 cricket, triathlon, diving, squash and badminton – have all been excluded from the Games programme for Glasgow.
The scaled-down Games will take place from July 23 to August 2, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) announced on Tuesday.
Glasgow, which hosted the event in 2014, stepped in to stage the event after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew last year.
The Games will feature a slimmed-down10-sport programme across four venues within an eight-mile corridor, with more than 500,000 tickets made available for spectators.
Athletics and swimming are included as compulsory sports for 2026 while there will also be track cycling, gymnastics, netball, weightlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and 3×3 basketball.
https://twitter.com/thecgf/status/1848606734241145177
There will also be integrated para events in six of those sports – athletics, swimming, track cycling, weightlifting, bowls and basketball.
Wales has a long history of competing in both men’s and women’s hockey tournaments at the Commonwealth Games and Hockey Wales chief executive Paul Whapham said: “It is deeply disappointing to learn that hockey, a sport with such a proud history at the Commonwealth Games, has been excluded from the 2026 event.
“This decision is especially disheartening given the lack of use of the 2014 Glasgow legacy venue, which was specifically built to host world-class hockey events.
“The exclusion not only impacts our athletes, but also the wider hockey community, who cherish the sport’s place on the international stage.
“We will continue to advocate for hockey’s rightful inclusion and remain committed to growing the sport both in Wales and globally.
— Hoci Cymru (@HockeyWales) October 22, 2024
Chair of Commonwealth Games Wales, Gareth Davies said ‘It’s great news that Glasgow has been confirmed as the next host for the Games.
“We know they can deliver a Games to an exceptional standard, and whilst they have less than 2 years to put things in place, we are extremely supportive of the announcement, and we look forward to working with Commonwealth Games Scotland in the run up to the 2026 Games.
“It is, of course, disappointing for the sports not included in the ’26 Games, but we will ensure there is constant communication between us and all of our member sports as we head into Glasgow and the Games that follow.
“Our immediate focus is on the next 18 months, and we will have a dedicated team of staff, support staff and volunteers who will be the driving force in ensuring Team Wales once again delivers on the world stage.’
Commonwealth Games Scotland chairman Ian Reid said it was not easy to decide which sports to include.
Scottish Hockey statement on Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: https://t.co/PgVXMsXxWt
— Scottish Hockey (@ScottishHockey) October 22, 2024
He told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme: “I think everybody recognises that these events need to be more affordable, lighter and we would have loved to have all of our sports and all of our athletes competing but unfortunately it’s just not deliverable or affordable for this time frame.”
However he said he thinks that the sport programme will start to vary and may increase in size depending on venues in future cities, so there is a chance that more sports may again be included.
CGF chief executive Katie Sadleir said: “On behalf of the entire Commonwealth Sport Movement, we are delighted to officially confirm that the 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place in the host city of Glasgow.
“The Games promise to be a truly immersive festival of sport and celebration of culture and diversity that inspires athletes and sports – with a fan experience more accessible than ever before.
“The 2026 Games will be a bridge to the Commonwealth Games of tomorrow – an exciting first step in our journey to reset and redefine the Games as a truly collaborative, flexible and sustainable model for the future that minimises costs, reduces the environmental footprint, and enhances social impact – in doing so increasing the scope of countries capable of hosting.
“With the reassuring legacy of Glasgow 2014 providing existing sporting, transport and accommodation infrastructure, and world-class venues and expertise, we look forward to working with the Glasgow team to deliver a very special Commonwealth Games in 2026.”
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Around 3,000 athletes are expected to compete from up to 74 Commonwealth nations and territories representing a combined total of 2.5 billion people – a third of the world’s entire population.
The four venues confirmed to host events are Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena – including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome – and the Scottish Event Campus.
It is estimated that the Glasgow 2026 Games will deliver more than £100 million of inward investment into the city.
Commonwealth Games Scotland chief executive Jon Doig said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have secured Glasgow as hosts of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
“Glasgow 2026 will have all the drama, passion and joy that we know the Commonwealth Games delivers even if it is to be lighter and leaner than some previous editions. It will be more accessible, delivered on a smaller footprint which brings our fans closer to the sporting action.”
Athletes and support staff will be housed in hotel accommodation.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said: “The Commonwealth Games is a hugely important event for Scottish sport and an exciting opportunity for the people of Scotland.
“As well as an action-packed, inclusive sports programme that will inspire and excite audiences across the globe – Glasgow 2026 will also be a cultural celebration.
“I would like to thank Commonwealth Games Scotland for their hard work and dedication to produce a viable proposal for Glasgow 2026 – and to the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Australia for their assistance in helping to secure the Games.”
https://twitter.com/telegraph_sport/status/1848582561284690281