Award-winning actor Sam Heughan is set to bring star power to the Commonwealth Games as Glasgow 2026’s first celebrity ambassador.

The Outlander actor has officially joined his latest clan and features in a new TV advert for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

On joining the Glasgow 2026 ambassador team, Heughan said, “I am overjoyed and extremely proud to be joining the Glasgow 2026 team.

“We have all these amazing athletes at the top of their game coming to Glasgow and competing in a completely integrated programme for their country and I can’t wait for them to experience the pride, warmth and welcome from Glasgow – and of course the Scottish crowds, which are some of the best in the world.

“Becoming a Glasgow 2026 ambassador is a real full circle moment for me – when Glasgow last held the Games in 2014, we had just started shooting the very first series of Outlander and I remember there was a huge buzz in the city.

“I was desperate to go and even had tickets. Now, I’ve just finished shooting the last season of Outlander and the Games are back in Glasgow – and this time I won’t be missing a moment.”

As anticipation for next year’s biggest sporting event in the UK is building, with tens of thousands of fans snapping up tickets when they were released last month, Sam kicks off his own obsession with Glasgow 2026 in an advert that captures the power of major sporting events to turn a nation into superfans.

How heavy is a gold medal?

How steep is a velodrome?

What is a ‘clean and jerk’?

The search is on for fans to become experts before 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories come to Glasgow to compete in world-class sporting events across 10 sports and six Para sports from July 23 to August 2.

Set to launch this week, Galloway-born Heughan features as a Games knowledge-seeking fan alongside Commonwealth champions, including world 1,500m silver medallist Jake Wightman and five-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Alex ‘Tattie’ Marshall as well as fellow Games ambassador and British Commonwealth and Olympic weightlifting champion Emily Campbell.

The ambassador announcement comes as My Peak Challenge, the global health, wellness, and philanthropy community founded by Heughan, joins Glasgow 2026 as the Official Wellness Challenge Provider.

An advocate for the power of movement to bring people together, Sam Heughan founded My Peak Challenge to inspire people to set meaningful goals and support others along the way.

Its members, known as ‘Peakers’, are part of a community focused on improving their health, building resilience, and giving back through charitable causes.

Commenting on the partnership, Heughan said: “My Peak Challenge is a global community all about helping yourself while helping others – by getting fit, building friendships, and creating healthy habits, all while raising money for charity.

“The Commonwealth Games have that same power to inspire people to move more, whether it’s rediscovering a sport you once loved or trying something new for the first time. That’s what makes this partnership between My Peak Challenge and Glasgow 2026 such a natural fit.”

Louisa Mahon, Chief Marketing Officer at Glasgow 2026, said: “Sam Heughan is Scotland’s homegrown hero and is recognised globally; he’s also genuinely passionate about fitness and sport. We’re so excited to be welcoming him to our Glasgow 2026 clan and working with My Peak Challenge as an Official Provider to the Games.

“Sam is a proud Scot and Outlander has played a huge role in putting Scotland on the map, highlighting its unique identity, landscapes and heritage. Now, Glasgow 2026 will be bringing a global audience into the city and we can’t wait to showcase the brilliant spirit with a sprinkle of stardust from Sam.

“With the countdown to the Games well and truly on, now is the time to start your obsession, learning more about the 10 incredible sports and the world-class athletes competing for their nations and territories.”

Glasgow 2026’s advert will roll out on radio as a voiceover, connected TV and cinema across Scotland from 14 November. 

Tickets are now on general sale worldwide and you can book your seats for Glasgow 2026 now at glasgow2026.com/tickets