The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow generated £233 million in economic activity across Scotland, with £158.6m of that in the host city itself, according to an analysis of its impact.
This year’s event featured fewer sports and athletes, after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out due to rising costs in 2024.
As such it is being held as a model for future events which do not put a strain on public finances, but continue to provide economic and cultural benefit. The games also supported 2,400 full-time equivalent years of employment, with 82 students securing games-time roles.
About a million people attended the range of sports and, despite not having a terrestrial free-to-air TV dea, 510m watched from around the world.
The organisers achieved their aim of hosting the scaled-down Games without taxpayer support after Glasgow stepped in to host a scaled-down version of the event.
The games cost less than £160m, the majority of which was funded privately by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), with the remainder coming from a range of commercial revenues such as ticket sales, broadcast rights, commercial sponsorship and merchandise.
The 2014 Commonwealth Games, held in Glasgow 12 years earlier, cost £543m. The Scottish government and Glasgow City Council provided £425m towards the bill, while the rest came from ticket sales, sponsorship and other commercial sources.
Phil Batty, chief executive of Glasgow 2026, said: “Glasgow showed what can happen when you build a games around the strengths of a place and the people who make it special.
“This report provides the evidence that we delivered great sport and a proud Glasgow welcome, while creating opportunities for people across Scotland to be part of something altogether brilliant.
“Our ambition was for a more sustainable games. Our thanks go to the workforce and volunteer legends, partners, and the communities who brought their own creativity and energy to the celebration.”
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