The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the biggest sporting event in the UK next year, has revealed the official Session Schedule and first medals to be awarded; setting the stage for 10 unforgettable days of world-class sport, landmark moments and packed venues across the city.

Running from July 23 to August 2, the Games will bring together 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories to compete across 10 sports and six Para sports, with more than 200 medals to be won in 50 medal sessions.

Events will take place in four of Scotland’s most iconic venues, the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Arena, Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Pool and the Scottish Exhibition Campus (SEC).

The action begins on 24 July with a powerful statement as the first medal of the Games will be awarded in Para Powerlifting, marking the first time in Commonwealth Games history that a Para sport opens the medal tally.

Olivia Breen, reigning Commonwealth T38 100m champion and Paralympic, World and European medallist said “I am so excited for Glasgow 2026 as it is a huge moment for Para sport, with the largest medal programme in Commonwealth history, with 47 medals and across six sports.

“I love the Commonwealth Games as it is the only competition where the able-bodied and Para athletes are altogether and it’s always so supportive and such a positive vibe.”

Later that evening, fans can look forward to further medal events in Artistic Gymnastics and Swimming and Para Swimming, rounding off a thrilling opening day of competition.

Glasgow 2026 will feature expanded programmes in several sports, offering more sessions and more opportunities for fans to experience the action.

Bowls and Para Bowls will run across all 10 days of the Games — the longest competition programme for the sport at a Commonwealth Games since Delhi 2010.

3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball will see three additional sessions compared to Birmingham 2022, reflecting the growing popularity of the fast-paced format.

In the pool, fans will be able to dive into Games firsts including the men’s 800m freestyle and women’s 1500m freestyle featuring for the first time, expanding the swim programme to its biggest ever at a Commonwealth Games.

The first weekend of the Games (25 and 26 July) promises to be a showstopper.

Netball takes centre stage with a high-energy opening, with six sports lighting up the city across Saturday and Sunday, including 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball, Artistic Gymnastics, Bowls and Para Bowls, Boxing, Swimming and Para Swimming, and Weightlifting.

With packed venues and eight medal sessions across 30 sport sessions, it’s shaping up to be one of the most electric weekends in Glasgow’s sporting history.

On Monday, July 27, Athletics and Para Athletics begin, starting six days of stunning action at Scotstoun Stadium, including the return of the iconic Commonwealth Mile, back for the first time since 1966.

This historic race is expected to be one of the most anticipated events of the Games. Swimming and Para Swimming will conclude on Wednesday, July 29, with evening sessions set to deliver high-stakes finals and emotional podium moments.

From 30 July, Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling take over the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, featuring the elimination race for the first time in Games history.

The schedule includes more sessions than ever before, giving fans extra chances to witness speed, strategy and spectacle.

Jack Carlin, Olympic, Commonwealth, European and World medallist in Track Cycling said: “Glasgow 2026 is going to be amazing and today’s announcement of the Session Schedule has shown just how packed a programme it will be across all 10 sports.

“There will be so much to see and do across the 10 days of competition and I have no doubt that the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome is going to be one of the places to be next summer – the programme is mega.

“Pulling on a Scotland jersey is always special and for the Scottish riders to get the chance to compete in a Scottish vest on a home track, in front of a home crowd, is extra special. It’s going to be brilliant!”

Super Saturday on 1 August promises wall-to-wall action, with medals on the line in Athletics and Para Athletics (both morning and evening sessions), plus Boxing, Judo and Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling, creating a blockbuster penultimate day for fans in the stands and around the globe.

The Games will close on 2 August with a dramatic final day.

The last medal is expected to be awarded in either Judo or Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling, though the exact moment will depend on the flow of competition, adding a final twist to an unforgettable 10 days.

In addition to unveiling the Session Schedule today, Glasgow 2026 has launched its first national advertising campaign, placing sport and athletes at its heart.

The campaign captures the phenomenon of sport as a national obsession and celebrates our overnight transition to a nation of superfans and sporting experts when major sports events come to town.

The campaign will roll out across digital and Out of Home advertising boards across central Scotland, and major cities across the UK, channelling Glasgow’s signature energy, warmth and humour.

All roads lead online, where the search for answers about the sports becomes part of the fun.

To register your interest for tickets or volunteering head to the website here