Paralympic stars set to shine as Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games open
Six Para sports feature on the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games programme: 3x3 wheelchair basketball, Para athletics, Para bowls, Para swimming, Para track cycling and Para powerlifting. 24 Jul 2026
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games are officially underway after a spectacular Opening Ceremony on 23 July at the OVO Hydro, setting the stage for 10 days of exciting sporting action.
A celebration of Glasgow's identity and Scotland's culture, the ceremony blended music, dance and striking visual performances. Loch Ness Monster, Nessie, made a memorable appearance before massed pipes and drums filled the arena with Flower of Scotland, while Nathan Evans and Saint PHNX starred in a musical sequence inspired by the famous Glasgow phrase, "meet me under the clock".
Glasgow takes centre stage
The first Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony to be held entirely inside an arena opened with a uniquely Scottish spectacle.
Sir Chris Hoy travelled across Scotland in the TARDIS to collect King Charles III and Queen Camilla, with the journey taking in iconic locations including Loch Ness, Edinburgh Castle, the Highlands and Balmoral before arriving at the Hydro.
King Charles III officially declared the Games open, describing the Commonwealth as a "unique and extraordinary family of nations". Addressing the athletes, he said: "As we gather, we celebrate the dedication and talent of every athlete and team. Your perseverance inspires us, and we eagerly anticipate your achievements in the coming days."
Paralympic stars ready to make their mark
Competition begins today (24 July), with the first medals of Glasgow 2026 set to be awarded in Para powerlifting. Glasgow 2026 will feature around 3,000 athletes who will compete for 215 gold medals before tit concludes on 2 August.
Six Para sports feature on the programme: 3x3 wheelchair basketball, Para athletics, Para bowls, Para swimming, Para track cycling and Para powerlifting.
There will be no shortage of Paralympic star power on display.
The opening day of competition is set to feature several high-profile medal contenders. Malaysia's Bonnie Bunyau Gustin and England's Olivia Broome, both proven performers on the international stage, will be among those targeting Commonwealth gold in Para powerlifting.
Fans can also look forward to seeing some familiar Paralympic faces on the basketball court. Lucy Robinson, Joy Haizelden, Charlotte Moore and Jade Atkin will represent England in women's 3x3 wheelchair basketball as they chase Commonwealth Games glory.
In Para athletics, Australian great Angie Ballard is set to make history. The eight-time Paralympic medallist will become the first Para athlete to compete at five Commonwealth Games. The 43-year-old wheelchair racing legend made her Commonwealth debut at Melbourne 2006 and has since built a career that includes more than 20 major international medals and seven Paralympic Games appearances.
Home fans will have plenty to cheer too, with Paralympic champions Ben Sandilands and Owen Miller preparing to make their Commonwealth Games debuts for Scotland.
One of the standout names in the pool is Uganda's Husnah Kukundakwe. Still only 19, the Para swimming sensation arrives in Glasgow as Uganda's team captain, aiming to become the first Para swimmer from her country to win a Commonwealth Games medal. Five years ago, she made history as the youngest athlete to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Meanwhile, England's Para cycling team boasts an impressive line-up that includes Paralympic champions Kadeena Cox and Lizzi Jordan, who are both set for their Commonwealth Games debuts, alongside Birmingham 2022 silver medallist Sophie Unwin.
Please visit the Commonwealth Games website for more information
