Glasgow 2026 to have record medal tally and mile race

The 10-sport Games programme will based at four venues within an eight-mile corridor of the city and be held across 10 days from 23 July to 2 August.

While the overall number of sports has halved from 20 in Birmingham in 2022 to combat rising hosting costs and time demands, the schedule remains intense.

A total of 26 cycling golds will be fought for at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, with eight of those in Para-track cycling. That is double the amount on offer three years ago.

And 56 will be on offer at Tollcross International Swimming Centre, with the men’s 800m and women’s 1500m freestyle races included for the first time.

Omitting the 1500m – in which Scotland’s Josh Kerr and Laura Muir are Olympic medallists – is a surprise move.

It has been replaced by an event last run in 1966.

Organisers say the Commonwealth Mile – the equivalent of approximately 1600m – is a tribute to ‘The Miracle Mile’ run at the 1954 staging in Vancouver.

On that occasion, England’s Roger Bannister and Australian John Landy competed two months after the former became the first athlete to run a sub-four-minute mile.

“The mile is the quintessential Commonwealth athletics event whose return I very much welcome,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, who suggested the event to Glasgow organisers.

“From 1930 through to 1966, the mile was the blue-riband event of each Games and the magic of the mile continues to resonate.

“A ticket to watch its Commonwealth final will be one of the must-have seats in Glasgow next year.”