Why Shooting, Badminton, Wrestling and Cricket Are Missing from CWG 2026
10 sports. That's all the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will feature, down from 19 at Birmingham 2022. That single number explains why shooting, badminton, wrestling, cricket and several other medal-rich events have disappeared from the programme. The decision is primarily about cost, venue availability and delivering a scaled-back Games after Glasgow stepped in to replace Victoria as host.
For India, the impact is significant. These omitted sports have consistently contributed a large share of the country's Commonwealth Games medals. Yet their absence isn't because they were banned or downgraded. Instead, it reflects how the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) allows host cities flexibility when selecting sports, provided compulsory events remain on the programme. Glasgow's streamlined model prioritises affordability over expansion.
Why Glasgow 2026 Has Only 10 Sports
The Commonwealth Games were originally awarded to Victoria, Australia. After Victoria withdrew because of escalating costs, Glasgow agreed to host a much smaller edition using existing venues and infrastructure. That meant reducing the programme from Birmingham's 19 sports to just 10.
Unlike the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games don't have a permanently fixed list of sports beyond athletics and swimming (including their para disciplines). Host nations can choose additional sports based on venue availability, operational costs and local priorities under the CGF's flexible hosting model.
A common misconception is that India-specific sports were deliberately removed. Not anymore. Cricket, hockey, squash and table tennis also miss out despite their popularity because organisers chose a compact programme built around four venues.
Why India's Medal Chances Take a Major Hit
India finished fourth at Birmingham 2022 with 61 medals. Around 30 of those medals came from sports that won't be contested in Glasgow, highlighting the scale of the challenge.
A comparison makes the impact clearer:
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Host | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Sports in 2026 | 10 |
| Sports in Birmingham 2022 | 19 |
| Compulsory sports | Athletics & Para Athletics; Swimming & Para Swimming |
| Major omitted sports | Shooting, Wrestling, Badminton, Cricket, Hockey, Squash, Table Tennis |
| Main reason | Cost reduction and limited venues |
Could These Sports Return in Future Commonwealth Games?
Yes. Their exclusion applies only to Glasgow 2026 and doesn't create a permanent rule.
The CGF's hosting model allows future organisers to choose different sports depending on available facilities and budgets. India has already indicated that, if successful in hosting a future Commonwealth Games, it would seek to restore several omitted disciplines including shooting, wrestling, badminton, cricket and hockey.
There's also a broader trend worth noting. India is investing heavily in hosting international competitions as part of its long-term ambition to stage the 2036 Olympic Games, expanding opportunities for athletes outside the Commonwealth Games calendar.
For athletes, Glasgow 2026 removes one important medal opportunity but not an entire competitive pathway. World Championships, Asian Games, Olympic qualification events and continental competitions remain available. The bigger statistical question now is simple: how many medals can India recover from the reduced programme using only the 10 sports that remain?