Glasgow 2026: big sporting moments with a lighter footprint

As the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games head towards their final weekend, there has already been plenty for Australian sporting fans to celebrate.

From record-breaking performances in the pool to memorable moments across athletics, netball, weightlifting and the wider sporting program, Australia’s athletes have once again shown the talent, determination and team spirit that make the Commonwealth Games so special.

While the performances and medal moments are capturing attention around the world, Glasgow 2026 is also testing a different approach to hosting a major international sporting event.

A reimagined Commonwealth Games

The Games are being delivered through a more compact model, bringing approximately 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories together across 10 sports.

Rather than developing a large number of new facilities, Glasgow 2026 is making use of four established sporting venues located within an eight-mile corridor of the city.

The approach builds on Glasgow’s existing sporting infrastructure, event experience and facilities from the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

It is a model designed to reduce some of the financial, environmental and logistical pressures traditionally associated with hosting an international multi-sport event.

Making better use of what already exists

Major sporting events can create significant environmental impacts through construction, energy use, transport, temporary infrastructure, materials and waste.

Using existing venues will not remove every impact associated with Glasgow 2026. However, it offers an important example of how host cities can begin by asking a different question:

What infrastructure, knowledge and capability do we already have?

Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, the Glasgow International Arena and the Scottish Event Campus have allowed the Games to remain concentrated within the city.

Glasgow 2026 has described the approach as a blueprint for a more sustainable, place-based and financially responsible model for major event delivery.

Its stated environmental priorities include reducing waste and carbon emissions, using existing venues and supporting Scotland’s net-zero ambitions.

Lower-carbon energy for key venues

Energy is another important part of the Glasgow 2026 approach.

Scotstoun Stadium, the Glasgow International Arena and Tollcross International Swimming Centre are being supplied through a zero-carbon electricity tariff using traceable renewable energy from the Scottish grid.

According to Glasgow 2026, the arrangement will provide the three venues with 5.4 gigawatt hours of renewable electricity throughout the Games and beyond.

Importantly, the energy arrangement is not limited to the 11 days of competition. It will continue supporting the venues after the closing ceremony, helping connect Games-time decisions with a longer-term community benefit.

What can future hosts learn from Glasgow?

The success of a major event should not be measured only by the number of venues built, tickets sold or medals awarded.

It should also be measured by what is left behind.

That includes infrastructure communities can continue to use, stronger local capability, reduced environmental impacts and lessons that can be shared with future host cities.

Glasgow 2026 is not a perfect or impact-free model. No event of this scale can be.

What it does demonstrate is that major sporting events can be reimagined. Existing facilities can take priority over unnecessary construction. Venues can be located closer together. Energy procurement can be reconsidered. Legacy can become part of planning rather than an afterthought.

For Australia, these are particularly relevant conversations as our sporting sector prepares for a significant decade of international events.

Celebrating the people behind the Games

As Glasgow 2026 moves into its final days, SEA congratulates the athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, organisers and communities bringing the Games to life.

We also acknowledge Commonwealth Games Australia and its work supporting the Australian team on and off the field.

The sporting performances will stay with us long after the closing ceremony. Hopefully, the lessons Glasgow is providing about existing infrastructure, responsible energy use and lighter-footprint event delivery will too.