Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla will officially declare the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games open when the multi-sport event begins on 23 July, organisers have confirmed.
The royal couple will attend the Opening Ceremony at the Hydro Arena in Glasgow, where King Charles III will read the message placed inside the King’s Baton on Commonwealth Day in March 2025 before officially declaring the Games open.
The ceremony will signal the start of the 23rd Commonwealth Games, bringing together more than 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories. Competitors will battle for 215 gold medals across 10 sports during the 11-day event.
The King’s address will also mark the conclusion of the longest King’s Baton Relay in Commonwealth Games history. Over a period of more than 500 days, the Baton travelled through all 74 participating nations and territories, with each destination designing and decorating its own Baton to reflect its culture and heritage.
Six-time Olympic champion and two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy, who carried the Baton at the start of the relay, is also expected to play a prominent role during the opening ceremony.
“It is an absolute honour to attend the opening of Glasgow 2026 with Their Majesties The King and Queen,” Hoy said, adding that hosting a home Commonwealth Games always creates special memories and expressing confidence that Glasgow would once again deliver an outstanding event.
Commonwealth Sport President Donald Rukare described the royal attendance as a historic moment, noting that Glasgow 2026 will be the first Commonwealth Games held during King Charles III’s reign and the culmination of the inaugural King’s Baton Relay.
For Nigeria, attention is already turning to the competition itself. Team Nigeria is expected to field a strong squad after using the 2026 All Nigeria Athletics Championships in Lagos as qualifying trials for the Games.
Among the country’s leading medal hopefuls are world record holder Tobi Amusan, national 100-metre record holder Kanyinsola Ajayi, rising 400-metre star Samuel Ogazi, Ella Onojuvwevwo, shot put specialist Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, as well as emerging talents Rosemary Nwankwo and Miracle Ezechukwu.
Nigeria is also expected to compete strongly in wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, table tennis and para sports—events that have consistently delivered medals for the country. Since making its Commonwealth Games debut in 1950, Nigeria has won more than 250 medals, making it one of Africa’s most successful nations in the competition.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from 23 July to 2 August, with events taking place across four venues within the city. Organisers have also announced a cultural festival running from 23 May to 9 August, celebrating music, arts, sport and community activities throughout Glasgow.
