News Summary
The Commonwealth Games Federation has confirmed the exclusion of wrestling from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, raising concerns among athletes and sports fans. This decision follows a reduction in sports, with badminton, cricket, hockey, table tennis, and squash also omitted. The Games will now include only ten sports and around 3,000 athletes, significantly fewer than previous events. Budget constraints and logistical challenges influenced the decision, marking a significant shift in the competitive landscape.
Glasgow Drops Wrestling from Commonwealth Games 2026
Glasgow, Scotland – The Commonwealth Games Federation has announced that wrestling will not be featured in the 2026 Commonwealth Games, a decision that has raised eyebrows, especially considering India’s past success in this discipline. The Games are scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 2, 2026, and will see a significant reduction in the number of sports and athletes compared to previous editions.
In total, six of the twelve sports in which India won medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games have been dropped for the upcoming event. Alongside wrestling, badminton, cricket, hockey, table tennis, and squash will also not be included, resulting in a notable shift in the competitive landscape of the Games. The Glasgow 2026 edition is set to feature only 10 sports and around 3,000 athletes, a sharp decrease from the Birmingham 2022 event that hosted 19 sports and nearly 5,000 athletes.
Details on the Remaining Sports
The remaining sports that will be included in the Commonwealth Games 2026 are athletics, para-athletics, boxing, bowls, para-bowls, swimming, para-swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling, para-track cycling, netball, weightlifting, para-powerlifting, judo, 3×3 basketball, and 3×3 wheelchair basketball. Notably, shooting, which was excluded from the Birmingham edition, will make a return for Glasgow 2026, despite wrestling not being included for the first time since its inception in the Games in 1930.
Reasons for Exclusion
The decision to omit certain sports from the 2026 program was driven by budget constraints. Organizers have indicated that logistical factors regarding available venues were the primary consideration in shaping the sports program. This approach contrasts with prior events, where sports selection typically precedes logistical planning.
Wrestling has historically been one of India’s most lucrative sports in Commonwealth history, delivering the highest medal count for the country during the Birmingham 2022 Games, which included 12 medals—six of which were gold. The exclusion of such a successful discipline has sparked disappointment among athletes and sports enthusiasts alike, particularly given its potential to bring in significant medals for India in future competitions.
Historical Context
Badminton has consistently featured in every edition of the Commonwealth Games since 1966, while squash and hockey have been staples since 1998, and table tennis has been present since 2002. The removal of these sports marks a fundamental change in the Games’ structure, as they have traditionally been viewed as critical components of the competition.
As the Commonwealth Games moves toward a streamlined program in pursuit of efficiency, it will be crucial to monitor how these changes affect athlete participation and overall public interest. The Ontario government has already revealed plans to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games across various cities in Victoria, providing a new backdrop for the competitions and athlete showcases.
This reduction in the number of events and athletes is indicative of the broader challenges facing global sporting events, as organizers strive to manage costs while maintaining competitive integrity and international participation. It remains to be seen how these changes will impact the Commonwealth Games in the long term, especially with India being one of the leading nations in wrestling and other excluded sports.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Indian Express: CWG 2026 Sports Exclusion
- Olympics.com: CWG 2026 Sports Announcement
- The Tab: A Week in My Life as a Birmingham City Uni Student
- Google Search: Wrestling CWG 2026
- Bham Now: New Businesses in Birmingham
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wrestling
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
