The Commonwealth Games come to Glasgow next week - is the city ready?

Image source, PA Media Image caption, Murals in the city have been repainted to celebrate Scottish sporting legends By Jonathan Geddes Glasgow and west reporter Published 16 July 2026 Updated 3 hours ago At the conclusion of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Glasgow's then council leader Gordon Matheson was in no doubt how successful the event had been. "Not only has Glasgow and her citizens completely embraced the Games, but we have demonstrated our credentials as a world-class city," he declared . As the city prepares to welcome the Games back, the mood is not nearly as bright or positive. Glasgow will welcome athletes against a backdrop of roadworks, refurbishments and the remains of a building ravaged by fire sitting next to the city's largest train station - but organisers are keen to stress the city is ready. Glasgow was parachuted in to host the Games after the Australian state of Victoria dropped out, and was partly picked because so much infrastructure was already in place. The 2026 Games have been pared back compared to previous editions, with 10 sports rather than the 17 it featured in 2014. Yet hosting the event is still a large undertaking for any city - especially at short notice. All you need to know about Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Published 6 July King and Queen to open Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Published 6 days ago KT Tunstall and Nathan Evans to headline Commonwealth Games opening ceremony Published 9 July About 3,000 athletes will compete for 215 gold medals across the 10-day event. And away from the action, thousands will be involved behind the scenes, including scores of volunteers. They have already started checking in at the Glasgow Caledonian University campus which is doubling as the registration centre for the Games. An estimated 20,000 people expected to collect accreditation passes before the Games ends on 2 August. They include Niamh Mackenzie, a 19-year-old psychology student who is already working shifts for the Games. Image caption, Niamh MacKenzie is one of the many volunteers taking part in the Games She said the summer had been dominated by the Tartan Army bringing the "No Scotland No Party" atmosphere to the World Cup in the US. "It's quite exciting to have that atmosphere locally," she said. "Hopefully we give a good experience to everyone that's coming over for it." Niamh has relatives who volunteered in 2014, which is part of the reason she signed up this time around. The impact of that competition also inspired Daniel Bustillos-Arell, an American native who has lived in Scotland for the past 11 years. He previously volunteered at the 2023 UCI cycling championships. Bustillos-Arell said: "All I've heard about since I moved to Scotland was the 2014 Games. "People talk about what a great experience it was, and how much they enjoyed it." To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Figure caption, Is Glasgow ready for the Commonwealth Games? While 2014 ma