Cricket along with hockey, Wrestling and Shooting has been dropped from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 edition and only 10 sports are set to be retained in the trimmed version due to budget issues.
India’s medal prospects for the Commonwealth Games 2026 have been impacted following a significant reduction in the number of sports at the event.
The 23rd edition scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 02 in Glasgow with major sports like hockey, badminton, Shooting and wrestling have been removed from the program.
This will mark a return to Glasgow as the host city after 12 years, following the 2014 edition. The Commonwealth Games Federation has confirmed the reduction in events with the Glasgow 2026 Games featuring a trimmed schedule compared to the 19 sports at the 2022 Birmingham edition. Sports like cricket, table tennis and squad and road racing have been left out.
Victoria had the rights to hold the Commonwealth Games, but they pulled out last year due to financial constraints, Glasgow stepped in to host the quadrennial multi-sport games.
In a statement, the CGF outlined the sports program, which will include Athletics and Para Athletics, Swimming and Para swimming, Artistic Gymnastics, Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling. Netball, weight lighting and Para Powerlifting, Boxing, Judo and Para Bowls and 3-3 Basketball and 3-3 wheelchair Basketball.
India’s performance at the Commonwealth Games has historically been strong, largely due to success in the now-removed sports. The country has won a significant number of medals in hockey, badminton, shooting and wrestling all of which will not feature in the upcoming edition.
The exclusion of shooting, which was left out of the Birmingham 2022 edition due to logistical reasons is especially damaging. India has secured an astonishing 135 medals in shooting, including 63 gold, making it one of the country’s most successful sports at the games.
Hockey’s exclusion is another blow as India’s men’s team has won three silver and two bronze medals, while the women’s team has also shined with three medals, including a historic gold.
The Games will take place across four venues Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena and the Scottish Event Campus.
Read: Commonwealth Games 2022 Medal Tally: Ranking By Country
