Stripped down Commonwealth Games in Glasgow still well worth a visit - Steve Cardownie

Liz McColgan shows off the gold medal she won in the 10,000m at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh

Organisers have said that it will also feature fully integrated para competitions across six events so it will still serve up a substantial helping of sport as a total of 3000 athletes from up to 74 countries are predicted to compete.

Glasgow “came to the rescue” after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out citing financial concerns leaving the games in limbo. The slimmed down version will now be held between July 23 and August 2, 2026 over four venues.

The last time the games were held in Glasgow in 2014 the cost came in at over £540 million but this time the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has estimated that the 2026 Games will cost approximately £114m, but with 500,000 tickets going on sale it is expected (hoped?) to be worth £150m to the city.

The cost is to be shouldered by the CGF to the tune of £100m with Commonwealth Games Australia chipping in £2.3m and the UK Government £2.3m with the remainder made up from commercial revenues.

I was one of the many thousands who attended the games when they were held in Edinburgh. Witnessing Liz McColgan winning Scotland’s only gold medal in athletics in the 10,000 metres in 1986, and I still well remember Lachie Stewart’s fantastic run as he won the 10,000 metres in 1970 beating Australia’s great Ron Clarke into second place – catch it on Youtube, you won’t be disappointed. So, the free bus pass should be well used come the summer of 2026!