Victoria 2026 finalizes sports program for the next edition of the Commonwealth Games

Rowing amongst the pygmy squid, cycling alongside the kangaroos, golfing whilst the koalas watch on, all three scenarios will be possible when the Commonwealth Games visit Victoria, Australia in 2026.

Organizers of the quadrennial multi-sport event announced the final sports lineup earlier this week, revealing a seismic change from Birmingham 2022.

Shooting is set to return to the Games after a controversial absence from the last edition in Birmingham. The sport is even primed to gain events through the inclusion of para athletes for the first time in Commonwealth Games history.

The sport’s exclusion from the latest edition of the Commonwealth Games originally led India to threaten a boycott of the Games. A tentative compromise was reached where the Commonwealth Championships for shooting and archery would be held in the South Asian country and count towards a final combined medal table.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately forced the cancellation of those championships, with England moving forward in staging the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Other sports set to join the program in Victoria include, BMX cycling, coastal rowing, and golf. All three sports will be making their debut at the Commonwealth Games.

The addition of the three new sports has also led to the removal of some sports contested in Birmingham. Judo, wrestling, and rhythmic gymnastics will not feature at the Games in Victoria. In total, 20 sports, 26 disciplines, and nine fully integrated para sports are set to feature at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Dame Louise Martin commented, “we are thrilled to confirm the sport program for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the additional sports proposed by Victoria 2026 completing an exciting and diverse line-up.”

She continued, “the Games are set to be competitive and action-packed, featuring an extensive, fully integrated Para Sport Program, the debuts of Coastal Rowing, Golf and BMX, the return of Shooting and the scintillating 3x3 Basketball.”

“The [sports] program is rooted in the CGF’s 2026-30 Strategic Roadmap, which provides hosts with greater flexibility to propose new sports, especially ones with specific local relevance that will enhance cultural showcasing and increase community engagement,” explained the Scot.

Vincent Gaillard, World Rowing Executive Director, underlined his organization’s excitement to be back on the sports program for the first time since 1986. He stated, “we are particularly excited about the inclusion of Beach Sprints in the Commonwealth Games in 2026, a new form of rowing which has been growing globally following a significant effort to increase our sport’s universality across continents.”

“This is an important milestone for rowing as a whole and for this particular format, which has recently been included in the 2023 World Beach Games in Bali and the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar,” added Gaillard.

He concluded, “the inclusion of Beach Sprint Rowing in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will also be decided by the IOC in the summer of 2023. We are committed to making this format a great success in yet another global multi sports games context.”

The venue for coastal rowing remains to be determined, but local organizers have already outlined plans for the site of the first ever BMX competition at the Commonwealth Games.

Shepparton, Australia will welcome the best riders from around the Commonwealth when the Games commence. The city is slated to host BMX competitions alongside the road cycling time trials and a major cultural exhibition and festival.

Work is still ongoing to finalize the para sports program for the Games, with local organizers reportedly pushing the inclusion of para events in the sports of golf, coastal rowing, and road cycling. No deadline was given for a final decision on the matter.

Shaun Leane, Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, summed up the Australian point-of-view for the multi-sport event, commenting, “the Games will deliver a blend of contemporary, traditional and Para sports, promoting diversity and inclusion.”

Local organizers estimate the Games will contribute more than $3 billion to Victoria’s economy, while creating thousands of new jobs. It remains to be seen if reality will match expectations.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games are due to open on March 17, 2026. It will be the first edition of the event held outside the reign of Queen Elizabeth II since 1950.