October 22, 2024: Cricket will not be part of the Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2, 2026. This decision comes as part of a broader plan to streamline the event, which will feature only ten disciplines, excluding cricket, field hockey, badminton, shooting, and wrestling.
Cricket had made a notable return to the Commonwealth Games during the 2022 edition in Birmingham, where a women’s T20 tournament was held for the first time since the sport’s last appearance in 1998. Australia emerged victorious, narrowly defeating India in the final, which was led by Harmanpreet Kaur. The Australian team was captained by the legendary Meg Lanning, further highlighting the sport’s competitive spirit.
While the specific reasons for cricket’s exclusion from the Glasgow Games have not been detailed, the move appears to be part of a broader effort to reduce costs and environmental impact while enhancing social benefits. CWG CEO Katie Sadleir stated that the 2026 Games aim to “reset and redefine” the Commonwealth Games model, focusing on sustainability and collaboration among participating nations.
This decision comes at a time when cricket is poised for a significant return to the Olympic stage, featuring in the T20 format at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Cricket had previously been part of the Olympics in 1900 and is now set to re-enter after 128 years. The inclusion of cricket in the LA Games follows a successful push to grow the sport in the United States, highlighted by the launch of Major League Cricket earlier this year and the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024, which will be jointly hosted by the US and West Indies.
Additionally, cricket was recently reintroduced at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, with India winning gold medals in both the men’s and women’s categories, indicating the sport’s growing popularity and competitive nature in various international arenas. The decision to include cricket in the 2028 Olympics was made during the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) session held in Mumbai last October, marking an exciting chapter for cricket on the global stage.
