Commonwealth Games Open with King Charles in Attendance
The 2026 Commonwealth Games (CWG) have kicked off with a riveting mix of music and theatrical performances at the OVO...
The 2026 Commonwealth Games (CWG) have kicked off with a riveting mix of music and theatrical performances at the OVO Hydro Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, on Thursday.
The King’s relay baton signalled the beginning of the 23rd edition of the games, which will run until August 2.
Dignitaries at the opening ceremony included King Charles of the UK and Queen Consort Camilla. Andy Burnham, the UK’s newly appointed prime minister, was also at the event.
There were musical performances from an array of Scottish artistes such as KT Tunstall, Callum Beattie, Nathan Evans, Tom Walker and Saint Phnx.
The 2026 CWG is scaled back compared to its predecessor, with only 3000 athletes competing for 215 gold medals. The 2022 edition in Birmingham had over 5000 athletes with 280 medal events.
Glasgow had stepped in to host the Games at the last minute after Victoria, Australia, pulled out of the responsibility in July 2023.
Nigeria has 72 athletes at the competition, and they will be participating in 10 sports — athletics, boxing, judo, para-athletics, para-powerlifting, weightlifting, 3×3 basketball, 3×3 wheelchair basketball, track cycling and swimming.
Tobi Amusan will be hoping to continue her domination in the women’s 100m hurdles race after setting the Games record four years ago. Kayinsola Ajayi will also be competing against the big names from Jamaica, Botswana and the UK for a place on the men’s 100m podium.
Here are photos from the opening ceremony:
The commonwealth sport flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the 23rd Commonwealth Games at the OVO Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 23, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the 23rd Commonwealth Games at the OVO Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 23, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Athletes representing Malaysia arrive during the opening ceremony of the 23rd Commonwealth Games at the OVO Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 23, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Britain’s King Charles III looks on during the opening ceremony of the 23rd Commonwealth Games at the OVO Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 23, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Athletes representing Singapore arrive during the opening ceremony of the 23rd Commonwealth Games at the OVO Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 23, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Athletes from Nigeria arrive at the opening ceremony of the 23rd Commonwealth Games at the OVO Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 23, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)
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