World Class Not just Convenient

by John Cushing, December 2024

“World class” - not just convenient. The pledge from the CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation for Glasgow 2026.

It’s been, unkindly called in some places, the ’Scotland stop-gap’ and the ‘make do and mend games’ but CGF chief executive Katie Sadleir, in our latest episode of Great British Bosses, told us it will act as the blueprint for future Games.

What about those future Games? Well she also confirmed to us she wanted a new host proposal by this time next year - so 2025 - for the Games in 2030 “at least”, which marks the Commonwealth Games centenary.

Work is also underway for a host for 2034 and it could be co-hosts. “We want to take the Games across Commonwealth” and their aim is to encourage new hosts to “get very close to the Glasgow model”.

She refused to rule out a return down under in the future, despite Victoria pulling out in 2026 with “8 hours notice”, and after the Brisbane Olympics obviously! “Australia will host again” she told us.

So it looks like 2025 is set to be a busy year for the CGF - with the hosts for the 2027 Youth Games confirmed by March. For the sports not included in the new look Glasgow Games (and there’s quite a few as only 10 sports will be in action in 4 venues in summer 2026) the Federation wants to see if can create a ‘Commonwealth Series’ by “bringing together rather than a one off” of Commonwealth Championships.