CWG 2026: Huge blow to India! Cricket, hockey, badminton and wrestling dropped from mega event

The next edition of the Commonwealth Games will be held in 2026 with a trimmed roster of 10 sports, following the exclusion of cricket, hockey, wrestling, badminton and shooting. Thus, the 23rd edition — to be from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow — will be held without a number of sports in a bid to remain budget-friendly. This move is set to impact India’s medal-chances, who have been top contenders in sports such as cricket, badminton, hockey, etc.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has confirmed the reduction in the sporting events, with the Glasgow 2026 Games featuring a trimmed schedule. The 2022 edition was held with 19 sports in Birmingham. Sports like table tennis, squash, and road racing have also been excluded.

In a statement, the CGF mentioned the sports program, including Athletics and Para Athletics (Track & Field), Swimming and Para Swimming, Artistic Gymnastics, Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling, Netball, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, Boxing, Judo, Bowls and Para Bowls, and 3—3 Basketball and 3—3 Wheelchair Basketball. Notably, shooting wasn’t part of the 2022 edition as well, due to logistical reasons.

Initially, Victoria was set to host the Games, however, withdrew last year due to financial issues. Glasgow, thus, stepped in to host the quadrennial multi-sport games in 2026. This also marks Glasgow’s return as the host city after 12 years, after the 2014 edition.

The forthcoming Games will take place across four venues: Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena (including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome), and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). The athletes and their support staff will be provided hotel accommodation as well.

For India, the news of the now-removed sports is a huge loss. Overall, hockey (more than five medals), wrestling (114 medals across categories), shooting (135 medals), badminton (31 medals) and cricket (where the women’s team won silver in 2022) have been the prime reasons for India’s strong hold in CWG history. In 2022, India won 61 medals, out of which 30 came from the now-removed sports.

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