Commonwealth Games Officially Open; Mirabai, Lovlina Head India’s Parade

Commonwealth Games 2026 Open in Glasgow; Mirabai, Lovlina Lead India’s Parade

The 2026 Commonwealth Games officially got underway in Glasgow on Wednesday, with Olympic medallists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain leading India’s 126-member contingent during the colourful Parade of Nations. The Games were formally declared open by King Charles III at the OVO Hydro.

Carrying the Indian tricolour, Mirabai and Lovlina marched into the packed arena to loud cheers before the rest of the Indian contingent joined them. More than 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories are taking part in the 11-day event, which will conclude on August 2.

King Charles III, accompanied by Queen Camilla, inaugurated the 33rd edition of the Games after reading the message placed inside the King’s Baton during the Commonwealth Day celebrations at Buckingham Palace in March 2025.

“The Commonwealth is a unique and extraordinary family of nations,” the King said, praising the athletes and para-athletes for embodying the spirit of unity and perseverance. He also highlighted the King’s Baton Relay Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign, which collected over one million pieces of plastic waste from waterways across Commonwealth countries.

The opening ceremony celebrated Scottish culture with music, performances and entertainment, including a Doctor Who-inspired segment featuring the iconic TARDIS, cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh.

Glasgow stepped in to host the Games after Australia’s Victoria state withdrew because of rising costs. Having previously organised the 2014 edition, the city has staged this year’s event entirely using existing venues, reducing the budget to around £160 million, nearly 60 per cent lower than Birmingham 2022.

This year’s Commonwealth Games will feature competition in 10 sports, with six also including integrated para events, making it the most compact edition in over 30 years.

India has sent 126 athletes to compete across eight able-bodied sports and five para sports. The country’s medal campaign begins on Thursday, although the absence of sports such as shooting, wrestling, badminton, hockey and cricket is expected to impact India’s overall medal tally.

India finished fourth at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games with 61 medals, including 22 gold. The next edition of the Commonwealth Games will be hosted by Ahmedabad in 2030, when the event returns to its traditional multi-sport format featuring 17 disciplines.