Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Wednesday 10th June 2026 Westminster Hall

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

It is a real pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Twigg. I thank the hon. Member for Glasgow West (Patricia Ferguson) for bringing this issue to our attention. It is also a pleasure to see the Minister in her place. I am confident she will respond in a positive way, giving the encouragement the hon. Lady needs. I do not doubt for a second that that is her nature. It is also a pleasure to see the shadow Minister in his place. He has a deep interest in all things to do with sport, so that is more encouragement for the hon. Lady. I also see the Lib Dem spokesperson in place, who has been a dear friend for many years.

Why does it mean so much to me, as the MP for Strangford, to see Glasgow host these games? We can see the potential that the hon. Lady referred to in her last couple of sentences. Also, I am keen on speak on this because of the strong historical links between Glasgow and our capital of Belfast. The hon. Lady’s colleagues are here in some numbers—I am not sure that there are any Scottish MPs left in the Chamber; they are nearly all here, as they should be, to support her. I say in all honesty and sincerity that I much enjoy the friendship of my Scottish colleagues—my Gaelic cousins. I do that for a number of reasons. I am descended from the Stewarts of the lowlands in Scotland, so the Gaelic blood they have in their systems is the same as I have in mine. Of course, we are only a short distance from each other—I would say just a stone’s throw; you would need strong arms, but it is not too far away. In our blood we have the Scottish traits, cultures and interests. We have the pipes, but maybe not the dancing—if anybody ever saw me dancing, it would be scary. We also have the thriftiness that the Scots have. They certainly gave it to me, because we look after our money in a very kind and powerful way.

The Glasgow Commonwealth games take place in just over six weeks, with the games this year focused on innovation. The hon. Member for Glasgow West set the scene incredibly well. I want to highlight a unique opportunity. The hon. Member for Carlisle (Ms Minns) suggested that Carlisle is close, but I tell her what: we are closer. I say that honestly. We have a chance to strengthen co-operation between Glasgow and Belfast and maximise the benefits for the wider UK economy. Belfast is strategically placed to be a support location for the games due to the transport and economic links between the two cities.

The Commonwealth teams who are coming have probably all picked their places to stay by now, but we are not too far away. Belfast has already been recognised as capable of hosting major sporting events, as it was selected to accommodate the 2028 UEFA Euros. Although that did not happen due to extenuating circumstances, it demonstrated recognition of Northern Ireland’s capability to hold these large-scale events.

Belfast could be used to accommodate visitors to the games, who would only be a short distance from Glasgow. There are many hotels in Belfast and elsewhere that could provide hundreds of rooms to accommodate them. The city is well positioned to take the pressure off Glasgow’s infrastructure by hosting media, officials, spectators and teams. There are excellent transport links between the two cities, with daily flights and regular ferries. In particular, Northern Ireland has the facilities to support athletes’ preparation for the games, and could even hold selected sporting events—side events would perhaps be the better way of putting it. That would further reduce pressure on Glasgow’s infrastructure while extending the economic benefits.

I suggest to the hon. Member for Glasgow West and those who have not considered it that there is an opportunity to utilise Bangor’s Olympic-standard swimming pool. It is a 10-lane, 50-metre pool with two submersible booms and floating floors to facilitate full international long and short-course competitions The pool was specifically developed to support Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth-level competitors, and it is already used for national elite competitions; it could facilitate training for the Glasgow Commonwealth games as well

Although Glasgow did not report being overwhelmed by the influx of visitors during the 2014 Commonwealth games, the incoming 2026 games have been prepared for at much shorter notice. Hopefully, the potential for those who will visit will be exceptional and boost the economy in Scotland. The originally proposed host had to withdraw due to increasing costs, leaving Glasgow only two years to finalise the arrangements. Partnering with Belfast as a support for the games could demonstrate what a sustainable model for the games looks like in the future, when the costs will be even greater and we may need to spread them a wee bit further to make the games more sustainable and ensure that they continue to unite the Commonwealth nations.

I always think that, in this great United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, we in Northern Ireland and our Scottish cousins—our Gaelic cousins—should play together in every way. No SNP colleagues are here to tell us that they may have a different opinion, but I am a great and proud member of this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who loves all the people of this great nation, particularly the Scottish people. I believe that work can and should take place between the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Scottish Parliament to ensure that the rising tide of the Commonwealth games lifts the ships not only in Scotland but in Strangford lough in Northern Ireland.

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[Douglas McAllister (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Twigg. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow West (Patricia Ferguson) on securing the debate. As colleagues have rehearsed very well, with her wealth of knowledge and her experience of the Commonwealth games, she brings great value to the debate.

As part of my West Dunbartonshire constituency falls within Glasgow, and with my home town of Clydebank bordering the city, this is a hugely significant event for the communities I represent—one that I hope will inspire the next generation and showcase the very best of our area to the world. When the future of the Commonwealth games was thrown into doubt after Australia withdrew from hosting them, I was delighted that Glasgow stepped up. I am proud that our nation has helped secure the future of one of the world’s greatest sporting events. This summer, the eyes of 74 nations and territories will be on Scotland.

Although it is a shame that fewer sports will be represented this year, I am keen to see how this leaner, more sustainable model works in practice. The traditional model of hosting major multi-sports events is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. Glasgow’s approach will make full use of existing world-class venues, established infrastructure and the expertise gained from the hugely successful 2014 games. If the Commonwealth games are to thrive and survive, they must be accessible, not only to athletes but to potential host nations and cities. If the model succeeds, Glasgow may once again show the way forward. That could be the defining legacy of the 2026 games.

That legacy will differ from 2014. The last games left Scotland with outstanding facilities, which have been mentioned, such as the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, the Glasgow International Arena and, of course, the athletes’ village, which became much-needed social housing. Those are tangible benefits that continue to serve communities today.

These Commonwealth games are so important for young people in my constituency. For many, this may be the first time that they see world-class sport in person. We should not underestimate the impact of that.

[Jim Shannon]

We have referred to sports that will not be at the games for all different reasons. We in Northern Ireland seem to excel at boxing and shooting. I am not quite sure why, but whatever the reason, there will be no shooting sports at the Commonwealth games. Does the hon. Member feel that should be addressed? We have asked for that before, and it has not happened. Maybe it is time to get it right.

[Douglas McAllister]

I appreciate the hon. Member’s intervention, and his point is well made. Glasgow saved the games and we had to use the infrastructure that was there. Perhaps when he secures a future games for Strangford, they will highlight shooting and boxing. We are happy to support a bid from him.

I know the effect that the games can have. I experienced it myself. I remember my parents taking me to the Commonwealth games in Edinburgh in 1986. Some hon. Members may be surprised to hear that I was a decent athlete back in my day—I know it is hard to believe. [Interruption.] The laughter was too loud there! I still vividly remember the excitement and inspiration I felt as a young person watching athletes compete—including my sporting hero, Steve Cram. That experience stayed with me. It made excellence feel achievable. Today’s young people from West Dunbartonshire and communities across Scotland deserve the same opportunity. They deserve the chance to watch elite athletes at the highest level, and to imagine themselves one day on that track, in that pool or on that podium.

However, I have one main concern: the lack of free live television coverage. With coverage of the games now behind a paywall on TNT Sports and HBO Max, many people risk being excluded. If we want these games to inspire the next generation, they must be accessible to everyone to view. That decision limits the reach and impact of the games at precisely the moment we should be encouraging wider participation and engagement.

I also want to know what my constituents in West Dunbartonshire will gain from these games. How will local communities be involved? How will young people be engaged? How will we maximise opportunities for participation, volunteering and sporting development long after the closing ceremony? I hope those important questions remain central to planning and delivery over the coming weeks and months.

Despite those concerns, my message today is one of optimism. I love the Commonwealth games. I believe in the values they represent, which were highlighted by my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow South West (Dr Ahmed): international co-operation, inclusion and friendship. Yes, these games may be smaller and look slightly different from previous years, but they also represent innovation, resilience and a determination to ensure that this great sporting tradition survives and thrives.

Glasgow saved these games when their future was uncertain. Now we can demonstrate a model that could secure their future for decades to come. I look forward to seeing Glasgow once again welcome the Commonwealth, and I hope that our young people, from West Dunbartonshire and across the nation, will be inspired.