Commonwealth Games 2026 removes hockey, wrestling, shooting and cricket from sports list

Hockey, Cricket, Wrestling and Shooting, sports in which India consistently does well do not feature on the thinned-out programme of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The 2026 Commonwealth Games was originally scheduled to take place in the Australian state of Victoria but the hosts pulled out, citing rising costs. Glasgow eventually stepped in to host the CWG 2026 but many sports from the previous programme list of 19 (in 2022 Birmingham) have been dropped.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will feature just 10 sports, organisers confirmed on Tuesday.

“The Games will include 10 sports – striking a balance between ensuring the event has a multi-sport feel and the need to manage financial and operational risk,” read an official statement from the Glasgow 2026 organisers published on their website.

“For the majority of the history of the Commonwealth Games the event has been held with approximately 10 sports. Post-1998 the Games have been flexible ranging between 15-20. Flexibility in the future will be important for hosts.”

Commonwealth Games Scotland chairman Ian Reid, speaking to BBC, added that finalising the 10 sports for Glasgow 2026.

“I think everybody recognises that these events need to be more affordable, lighter and we would have loved to have all of our sports and all of our athletes competing but unfortunately it’s just not deliverable or affordable for this time frame,” Reid said.

Read: How a scaled down Commonwealth Games 2026 could affect India's medal count

Sports included in the 2026 Commonwealth Games: Swimming and para swimming, Athletics and para athletics, Cycling track and para track, 3x3 basketball and wheelchair, Basketball, Netball, Boxing, Lawn bowls and para lawn bowls, Gymnastics, Judo and Weightlifting and para powerlifting

Sports removed for 2026 Commonwealth Games: Rugby sevens, Hockey, Cricket, Triathlon and para triathlon, Squash, Beach volleyball, Diving, Shooting, Badminton, Table tennis and para table tennis, Wrestling, Cycling road and mountian bike

Hockey’s probable omission could also be down to the fact that the Games, to be held from July 23 to August 2, are being organised close to the World Cup that is scheduled two weeks later from August 15 to 30 in Wavre, Belgium and Amstelveen, Netherlands.

The CWG 2026 will be held at Commonwealth Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre and Scottish Events Campus.

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None of these venues have a hockey turf.

Hockey’s exclusion from the Games would be a major blow for India as their men’s team is a three-time silver-winner and two-time bronze-medallist in the sport. The women have won three medals, including a gold in the 2000 edition.

The biggest hit would be to Australia, which has won the men’s gold for a record seven times and the women’s top honours in four editions.

With agency inputs