Live: Commonwealth Games to be opened by King Charles III

Lead

The 2026 Commonwealth Games opened in Glasgow on July 23, with King Charles officially declaring the Games open during a ceremony at the city's Hydro arena, as reported by ABC Australia. The opening ceremony featured Australia's flag-bearer, Olympic pole vault champion Nina Kennedy, and para swimmer Tim Hodge, who carried the King's Baton. More than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories are competing for 215 gold medals across 10 sports over 10 days.

Coverage comparison

ABC Australia's coverage of the Games spans the opening ceremony, the Australian team's preparations, and the notable absence of several sports that were dropped from the 2026 program. One report focused on the ceremonial aspects, highlighting the glitz and glamour of the Hydro arena, which has previously hosted acts like Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and U2. Another piece centered on Kennedy's pride in carrying the flag, quoting her as saying she is "so proud to follow in the footsteps of so many great Australians." A third report provided context on the Games' journey, noting they were initially planned for Victoria, Australia, before being moved to Glasgow after the Victorian government withdrew over cost concerns.

A separate ABC report delved into the athletes whose sports were cut, capturing a mix of disappointment and understanding. Diver Anabelle Smith, attending her fifth Games as a spectator, told ABC Sport, "[There was] obvious disappointment from the divers … but also an understanding." Table tennis player Melissa 'Milly' Tapper, whose sport was axed after six consecutive Games, is also attending as a spectator and has set up a table tennis table in the team lounge at the Glasgow Argyle Hotel.

Key claims

• The 2026 Commonwealth Games officially opened at Glasgow's Hydro arena, with King Charles declaring the Games open, as reported by ABC Australia.
• Nina Kennedy carried the Australian flag in the opening ceremony; she is defending her Commonwealth Games pole vault title from Birmingham 2022, according to ABC Australia.
• Tim Hodge, a para swimmer, carried the King's Baton; he is defending his SB9 100m backstroke gold, as reported by ABC Australia.
• The Games feature 10 sports and 215 gold medals, down from over 20 sports in the 2022 Games, according to ABC Australia.
• Australia is sending 256 athletes to the Games, as reported by ABC Australia.
• The Games were initially planned for Victoria, Australia, but the hosting rights were withdrawn due to cost concerns; Glasgow was announced as the new host in September 2024, according to ABC Australia.
• Several sports were dropped from the 2026 program, including badminton, hockey, wrestling, road cycling, mountain biking, rhythmic gymnastics, rugby sevens, squash, table tennis, triathlon, beach volleyball, cricket, and diving, as reported by ABC Australia.
• Diving has been held at every Commonwealth Games since 1930, but is not included in 2026, according to ABC Australia.
• Anabelle Smith, a diver, is attending the 2026 Games as a spectator and part of the Australian team's connection and belonging squad, as reported by ABC Australia.
• Melissa 'Milly' Tapper, a table tennis player, is also attending as a spectator and has set up a table tennis table in the team lounge, according to ABC Australia.
• The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and Commonwealth member nations lobbied for hockey's inclusion but were unsuccessful, as reported by ABC Australia.