The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games are set to commence, featuring over 3000 athletes from 74 nations competing for more than 200 gold medals. The event will span 10 days, with coverage beginning on Friday, July 24, and concluding with the closing ceremony on Monday, August 3.
Australian viewers can access live, free, and exclusive coverage across various platforms. Key moments will be broadcast on Channel 7 and 7mate, while every sport will be available for streaming on 7plus Sport. This streaming service offers up to 15 live channels and eight FAST replay channels, allowing viewers to select their preferred broadcast. Additionally, all events will be accessible on demand, featuring full replays, highlights, and mini-segments.
The 7plus app enables viewers to add favorite sports to a watchlist and explore athlete interviews and features within the Commonwealth Games Hub. The 7NEWS.com.au platform will also provide daily live blogs, news updates, results, and interviews with Australian athletes, alongside a schedule and medal tally.
Australian Broadcast Team and Schedule
Veteran broadcaster Bruce McAvaney will lead the Australian coverage of the Commonwealth Games. The commentary team includes several Commonwealth Games gold medallists such as Tamsyn Manou, Ariarne Titmus, and Giaan Rooney. Other hosts and commentators include Matt Shirvington, Emma Freedman, Mel McLaughlin, Jason Richardson, Johanna Griggs, Matt White, Rebecca Maddern, Trent Copeland, and Lizzie Jelfs.
The opening ceremony is scheduled to begin at 4.45am AEST on Friday, July 24. Primetime coverage, hosted by Matt Shirvington and Emma Freedman, will start at 7pm AEST, showcasing events like swimming, athletics, and cycling, along with live interviews from Glasgow. Overnight action, including netball, judo, artistic gymnastics, boxing, bowls, 3×3 basketball, and cycling, will be presented by Lizzie Jelfs and Trent Copeland from 11.30pm AEST.
Johanna Griggs and Matt White will take over at 3.30am AEST for gold medal events in swimming, athletics, and cycling. A highlights show, presented by Rebecca Maddern, will air from 3pm AEST, summarizing missed action and previewing the evening’s events.
Key Events and Canadian Participation
The first day of competition, following the opening ceremony, will feature Australian athletes such as Lani Pallister and Col Pearse in swimming, the Australian men’s team in the Gymnastics Final, and Hani Watson in Para Powerlifting. On Day 2, Mollie O’Callaghan will compete in the 200m Freestyle Final, Georgia Godwin in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, and the Australian netball team, the Diamonds, will play against Tonga.
Day 3 will see Cam McEvoy in the 50m Freestyle Final and a netball match between the Diamonds and England. Athletics will begin on Day 4, with Kyle Chalmers starting his swimming campaign and five gold medals available in Individual Artistic Gymnastics. Sprint Night on Day 5 includes Lachlan Kennedy in the Men’s 100m Final, Kyle Chalmers defending his title in the 100m Freestyle Final, and Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson in the Women’s High Jump Final.
The Commonwealth Games will also feature a Canadian contingent of 153 individuals. Erica Wiebe, an Olympian and Commonwealth Games champion, will serve as Chef de Mission for Team Canada. The team includes athletes, a coach, and support staff with ties to Saskatchewan. Athletes from Saskatchewan include Jordan Carroll (Gymnastics), Maitlan Knoke (Men’s Shot put, Para athletics), Etta Love (Weightlifting), Claire Norek (Women’s Shot put, Para athletics), Garrett Ostepchuk (3×3 Wheelchair Basketball), Kyrell Sopotyk (3×3 Wheelchair Basketball), and Savannah Sutherland (400-metre hurdles, Athletics). Jared Sajtos will coach 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball, while Graham Olson and Monty Churchman will provide support as video analyst and massage therapist, respectively.
The velodrome will host track cycling events starting on Day 8, with seven gold medals contested on Day 9. Day 10 features athletics, including Peter Bol in the Men’s 800m and Kurtis Marschall in the Men’s Pole Vault Final, alongside netball semi-finals. The final night of competition on Day 11 will award six gold medals in track cycling, judo, and bowls finals, culminating in the netball bronze and gold medal matches. The closing ceremony will take place on Monday morning, followed by a recap show, Glasgow: The Golden Games, on Monday night.
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Source: 7news.com.au
