‘Dreams taken away’: Axed sports slam Commonwealth Games cull

World Rugby, Cricket Australia and a host of other sporting bodies have expressed their disappointment after the Commonwealth Games Federation axed nine sports from the 2026 Games program in Glasgow.

The Scottish government agreed to host the Games after Victoria withdrew from its hosting duties last year amid anger at spiralling costs, but the responsibility of staging the event with less than two years’ preparation has come at the cost of a slimmed-down program that will include only 10 of the sports featured at the last Games in 2022.

Australia won rugby sevens gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.Credit: PA

In a statement released on Tuesday, World Rugby said it was “disappointed” by the decision to drop rugby sevens – an event it argued helped the Games remain relevant – from the program.

“While understanding the unique circumstances of the 2026 Games ... the absence of rugby sevens, along with other team sports, at Glasgow 2026 is a significant loss for players, fans, and the Games themselves,” the statement read.

“Rugby sevens was born in Scotland and has been a fixture of the Commonwealth Games since 1998 ... We firmly believe that sevens has a huge role to play in the future of a Games seeking to be more relevant and accessible to new fans, and we will continue to work closely with the Commonwealth Games Federation to achieve these goals together.”

CA said it was disappointed Australia’s women’s team would not have the chance to defend the gold medal won in Birmingham after cricket was another sport left off the card for Glasgow.

“However, we understand the circumstances that have led to cricket’s removal from the 2026 Commonwealth Games schedule and remain enormously excited by its inclusion at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and, we hope, Brisbane 2032,” CA said in a statement.

The 2026 Games will be part-funded by Commonwealth Games Australia, with the total budget for the event expected to be about £114 million ($222 million).

The streamlined program means some of Australia’s most successful events – such as hockey and cycling, as well – won’t feature. Staples such as swimming, athletics and netball will remain, however, along with lawn bowls and 3x3 basketball.

Hockey Australia, and the sport’s governing bodies in England, Scotland, Wales, India and New Zealand, also criticised the decision, which it said favoured sports that used indoor venues.

“It is a disappointing announcement, not just for hockey but for all of the sports who have missed out in the reduced format,” said Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles. “I know I join all our Commonwealth compatriots in saying we hope this is a temporary adjustment to the Games schedule.”

Triathlon Australia, Squash Australia and Volleyball Australia also criticised the CGF.

Squash Australia CEO Robert Donaghue said the announcement “was a blow to the players who have had their dream of competing in the Commonwealth Games taken away from them”.

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