Is the Commonwealth Games on UK TV?

Jul 20, 2026 - 14:45

The Commonwealth Games is coming up, but for the first time since the 1950s, it will not feature on the BBC.

The tournament is set to get underway in Glasgow this Thursday and will run until Sunday, August 2.

Netball Commonwealth Games — It will be second Games featured in Glasgow, and the fourth in Scotland since the event began

A total of 215 events will take place across 10 core sports as part of the 23rd edition of the multi-sport showcase.

It will be the second time Glasgow has hosted athletes from across the globe for the Games, following the withdrawal of original host Victoria, Australia.

Scotland will be visited by some of the best stars in the world, representing nations such as New Zealand, Canada, India and Jamaica.

Where can I watch the Commonwealth Games?

The BBC was outbid for the live rights by TNT Sports, with Channel 5 set to broadcast daily highlights on free-to-air TV.

The public broadcaster has held the exclusive rights to show the event since it was first televised in 1954.

TNT Sports will be broadcasting over 600 hours of the competition across all of its channels.

The only free-to-air coverage will be in the form of daily highlights on Channel 5 summarising key action from each day.

Chief content officer for Channel 5 Ben Frow said: “The Commonwealth Games is one of the standout events in a fantastic summer of sport this year.

“And here at 5 we’re delighted to be working with TNT Sports to bring the biggest sports stars to a free-to-air audience in the UK.”

Adam Peaty will be returning to the sport and admitted it will ‘feel like a homecoming’.

Commonwealth Games on talkSPORT

talkSPORT has made history by becoming the first-ever UK commercial radio station to secure official broadcast rights for the Commonwealth Games.

We will have you covered with expert analysis and commentary, from the Scotstoun Stadium to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream or find us on DAB digital radio through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Download and listen to all our live commentaries via the talkSPORT app here.

Visit talkSPORT BET for all the latest odds and bet boosts for every big event.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel here for news, views and analysis plus our regular goals show and for more, follow us on talkSPORT Facebook and talkSPORT X.

talkSPORT’s team will feature iconic names in British sporting history.

Greg Rutherford competing in the long jump at the World Athletics Championship qualifier in 2013 — Rutherford is well known to athletics fans for his medal winning exploits at both Olympic and Commonwealth level

Olympic, European, and World champion Greg Rutherford will join Natalie Sawyer on the Commonwealth Games Kick Off every evening from 7pm.

2008 Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu will provide trackside commentary.

Olympic boxing bronze medallist Lewis Richardson will offer his expert analysis ringside at the tournament

Four-time Commonwealth swimming medallist Molly Renshaw will bring insight from the Tollcross.

2022 Commonwealth track cycling medalist will report live from the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

Additionally, John Cushing will be trackside each evening interviewing the newly crowned champions as well as updating listeners on talkSPORT throughout the day.

Meanwhile, talkSPORT’s Nigel Adderley, Joe Shennan, and Alfie Reynolds will be commentating on swimming, boxing, and track cycling, with Georgie Heath working across other sports including gymnastics, basketball, and netball.