Blue sky thinking: Games added £223m to Scottish economy

Monday 2nd November 2026

Photo by Bobby Gavin

Full news report from Glasgow 2026 website

Glasgow 2026 generated £223 million in economic activity across Scotland and used the city’s existing infrastructure and expertise to deliver a world-class sporting event, according to an independent impact evaluation of this summer’s Commonwealth Games.

The 11-day Games generated a significant £158.6m economic boost for the Glasgow City Region, part of a £223m figure across Scotland, with £117.3m Gross Value Added (GVA) throughout the country.

The report also highlights how the reimagined Games model broke new ground by staging sports entirely in venues powered by renewable energy for the first time.

The event drew on Glasgow’s community assets and experienced events workforce to create a more inclusive and greener event broadcast to a global audience of 510 million, reaching viewers in 166 territories within and beyond the Commonwealth.

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games_Impact Evaluation Report Only_October2026

Photo by Bobby Gavin

Four golds help to second best medal tally for 44 years

The Games programme drew a live audience of one million across ticketed events as well as the Game On Live Site, the King’s Baton Relay across Scotland and via the Glasgow 2026 festival programme.

Overall, the competition brought together 2,749 athletes from all 74 nations and territories of the Commonwealth across 10 sports and six Para-sports.

Building on the knowledge, talent and partnerships developed through Glasgow 2014 and successive major events, the city stepped forward in October 2024 to save the Commonwealth Games under the new model introduced by Commonwealth Sport, within a compressed delivery timeline.

The Games were delivered for less than £160m, with the evaluation highlighting substantial sporting, social, cultural and economic benefits, alongside valuable lessons for future Games hosts.

Beyond the sporting programme, community activity reached all 32 Scottish local authorities. Schools, cultural organisations, volunteers and local groups helped people experience the Games in their own communities.