Cricket, which made a return to the Commonwealth Games (CWG) in 2022, will not be featured in the 2026 edition, set to be held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2.
The 2026 CWG will feature just ten sports, excluding cricket, along with other popular events like field hockey, badminton, shooting, and wrestling. This marks a shift from the 2022 Games, where women’s T20 cricket was reintroduced after a 24-year gap, following its last appearance in the men’s ODI format at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games.
Commonwealth Games Federation Focuses on Cost-Cutting and Sustainability
While no specific reason was provided for the removal of cricket and other sports, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) CEO Katie Sadleir highlighted the necessity for a more sustainable and flexible model for the Games moving forward. In a statement, Sadleir said, “The 2026 Games will be a bridge to the Commonwealth Games of tomorrow… increasing the scope of countries capable of hosting.”
Budget constraints appear to have played a significant role in trimming the list of sports for the 2026 Games. Glasgow stepped in to host after Victoria withdrew its bid, opting to utilize existing venues and accommodation rather than constructing new facilities, leading to a reduced roster.
Cricket’s Commonwealth Games and Global Comeback
Cricket’s exclusion from the 2026 CWG comes as a surprise, given the sport’s return at the 2022 Birmingham Games, where Australia’s women’s team won gold, defeating India in the T20 final, with New Zealand securing bronze. In 1998, South Africa had taken gold in the men’s 50-over competition, with Australia winning silver and New Zealand bronze.
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Despite being omitted from the CWG, cricket is set for a major resurgence on the global stage. It will return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028 after 128 years, with men’s and women’s T20 events included. The decision was finalized at the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) meeting in Mumbai in October 2023, driven by a desire to grow cricket in the US. Niccolo Campriani, director of the LA2028 organizing committee, explained, “The commitment to grow cricket in the US is real… the very first Major League Cricket season exceeded all expectations.”
Cricket was also a major event at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games (held in 2023 due to the Covid-19 pandemic), where India claimed gold in both the men’s and women’s T20 events.
A Future Without Cricket at the Commonwealth Games?
The omission of cricket from the 2026 Commonwealth Games reflects a shift in the CGF’s priorities toward creating more economically viable and environmentally sustainable Games. However, the sport’s return to the Olympics and continued presence in other major international events like the Asian Games suggests cricket’s global reach is still expanding.
