In a significant blow to India’s sporting prowess, hockey, cricket, wrestling, and badminton — sports in which the country consistently excels — have been dropped from the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The decision comes as part of a major restructuring of the Games after Glasgow stepped in to host following the cancellation of the event by Victoria, Australia.
All in all 13 sports have been cut off that are – field hockey, cricket, rugby sevens, diving, badminton, beach volleyball, road cycling, mountainbiking, rhythmic gymnastics, squash, table tennis/para-table tennis, triathlon/para-triathlon and wrestling.
Impact on India CWG medal prospects
India has historically performed well in the Commonwealth Games, with sports like hockey, cricket, wrestling, and badminton being major contributors to the country’s medal tally. The removal of these sports is expected to severely impact India’s medal haul in 2026.
Indian hockey teams, both men’s and women’s, have been strong contenders, with the men’s team recently clinching a silver medal in the 2022 Commonwealth Games. In wrestling, India has consistently dominated the podium, while in badminton, players like P.V. Sindhu have been regular medal winners.
The absence of cricket, which made its Commonwealth Games debut in 2022, is also a blow to India’s growing dominance in the sport on the global stage, particularly with women’s cricket becoming increasingly competitive.
Victoria’s withdrawal and Glasgow’s rescue
Victoria, Australia, was initially granted the hosting rights for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. However, in a shock move, the event was cancelled by the state’s premier, Daniel Andrews, in July 2023 due to budgetary constraints. Originally allocated $2.6 billion, the projected cost escalated to nearly $7 billion, forcing the government to back out. This decision faced widespread backlash, leaving the Commonwealth Games Federation scrambling for a new host.
Scotland, which previously hosted the Games in 2014, stepped in to rescue the 2026 edition, albeit with a much smaller budget and a significantly reduced sports roster. The revised version will feature only 10 sports, including athletics, swimming, boxing, and cycling. These changes, while ensuring the Games go ahead, have led to the exclusion of several fan-favourite sports.
New Sports Line-up for 2026 Commonwealth Games
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will include athletics/para-athletics, swimming/para-swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling/para-track cycling, netball, weightlifting/para-powerlifting, boxing, judo, lawn bowls/para-lawn bowls, and 3×3 basketball/3×3 wheelchair basketball.
While these sports will attract their own audiences, the absence of hockey, cricket, and wrestling is likely to affect overall viewership and engagement, especially from countries like India.
Missed Opportunity for Indian Athletes
For many Indian athletes, the Commonwealth Games represent a vital opportunity to gain international exposure and win medals. With the axing of sports where India has traditionally excelled, athletes are likely to feel the loss of this crucial platform.
Wrestling, in particular, has been a cornerstone of India’s success, with stars like Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat leading the charge in the past.
What’s Ahead for Commonwealth Games?
As Glasgow prepares for the 2026 Commonwealth Games with a leaner format, India’s focus may shift to other international events like the Asian Games and the Olympics. However, the removal of key sports from the Commonwealth Games is a major setback for Indian athletes and fans alike, as the nation’s medal prospects have been considerably diminished.
The challenge now lies in how India can adapt to this change and continue its pursuit of sporting excellence on other platforms.
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