King Charles III officially declared the 23rd Commonwealth Games open on Thursday in Glasgow, marking the start of a 10-day sporting festival that has been redesigned to reduce costs while preserving one of the world’s biggest multi-sport events.
The British monarch, accompanied by Queen Camilla, opened the Games during a colourful ceremony at the 14,000-capacity Hydro Arena, where athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories were welcomed. Team Nigeria drew admiration with an energetic and vibrant parade during the opening event.
Making a theatrical entrance inspired by the British science fiction series Doctor Who, King Charles emerged from a Tardis before addressing competitors and officially launching the Games.
“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,” the King said.
He urged participants to embrace the values of sport and unity, adding, “As we share our love of sport, and our planet, let us build a harmonious and durable future, for our families and each other.”
The monarch then declared the 23rd Commonwealth Games officially open.
The Glasgow Games feature approximately 3,000 athletes competing for 215 gold medals across 10 sports and six para-sports. It is the second time the Scottish city has hosted the event after staging the Games in 2014.
This year’s edition represents a significant restructuring of the Commonwealth Games following financial uncertainty that threatened the competition’s future. Australia’s Victoria state withdrew as host in 2023 because of escalating costs, prompting Glasgow to step in with a streamlined and more affordable model.
Organisers said the event is being delivered at roughly one-quarter of the cost of the 2014 Games, with the sporting programme reduced from 19 disciplines at Birmingham 2022 to 10 sports.
“When the future of these Games was uncertain, Glasgow didn’t ask, ‘Can we?’ We asked, ‘When do we get started?'” Glasgow 2026 Chairman George Black said during the ceremony.
He praised the city’s determination to preserve the Games, describing the event as proof that collective effort can achieve extraordinary results.
The opening ceremony, held entirely indoors for the first time in Commonwealth Games history, featured the parade of athletes before dignitaries, including newly elected UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney.
The Falkland Islands delegation received one of the loudest ovations of the evening amid renewed attention over the islands following Argentina’s World Cup celebrations, during which players displayed a banner asserting Argentina’s claim to the territory.
Competition begins with athletics, swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling, netball, weightlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and 3×3 basketball, alongside the largest para-sport programme ever staged at the Commonwealth Games.
Among the stars expected to headline the competition are Scotland’s world-record holder Josh Kerr, Pakistan’s Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem, India’s Neeraj Chopra, England swimming star Adam Peaty and South Africa’s Chad Le Clos, who is aiming to become the most decorated male athlete in Commonwealth Games history.
