Glasgow is hosting the Commonwealth Games for a record fourth time. The XXIII Commonwealth Games run from Thursday, July 23 to Sunday, August 2, 2026, with the opening ceremony staged at the OVO Hydro.
This is also the first Commonwealth Games since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, with King Charles III presiding as Head of the Commonwealth for the first time at a Games.
Around 3,000 athletes from 74 nations will compete across 215 medal events, with Team Northern Ireland sending a strong contingent led by stars like Rhys McClenaghan in gymnastics.
You can watch Commonwealth Games in Ireland on TNT Sports or stream for free on ThreeNow or 7Plus using a VPN.
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Commonwealth Games 2026 Key Dates & Timeline
- Opening Ceremony: Thursday, July 23, 2026 – The OVO Hydro, Glasgow
- Competition Days: Thursday, July 23 – Saturday, August 1, 2026
- Closing Ceremony: Sunday, August 2, 2026
- XXIII Commonwealth Games Concludes: Sunday, August 2, 2026
- Host City: Glasgow, Scotland
How to Watch the Commonwealth Games in Ireland for Free
7Plus is Australia’s official broadcaster for the 2026 Glasgow Games, offering comprehensive live streaming, dedicated 24/7 channels, and full event replays for free.
However, 7Plus is geo-restricted outside of Australia. You will need a reliable VPN connected to an Australian server to access 7Plus and watch the Games live.
Here’s how you can watch Commonwealth Games in Ireland for free:
Step 1: Subscribe to a safe VPN service. (Surfshark is the best VPN)
Step 2: Download and install the Surfshark VPN App on your device.
Step 3: Connect to the Australian server.
Step 4: Visit the 7Plus official website and click on the Commonwealth Games or Watch Now
Step 5: Sign in by adding your email address and password. Otherwise, sign up.
Step 6:Â Enjoy free live streaming!
How to Watch the Commonwealth Games in Ireland Live
TNT Sports is the exclusive broadcaster of the Commonwealth Games in Ireland. You can catch all the live action by subscribing to the NOW TV Sports Extra plan for €33.99/mo (currently discounted to €17/mo).
Now TV mobile app is available for Android and iOS devices in Ireland. Here’s how you can watch the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Ireland live on mobile phones:
Step 1: Download the Now TV app from the Play Store or APK
Step 2: Open the app and click on the sidebar
Step 3: Choose Sports Membership
Step 4: Select your plan and click Claim offer
Step 5: Click Checkout
Step 6: Create your account by clicking Continue to checkout or sign in with your existing one
Step 7: Enter your credentials
Step 8: Choose your payment plan and enter your credentials to subscribe. Enjoy streaming!
Watch 2026 Commonwealth Games in Ireland Free on ThreeNow
ThreeNow is a free-to-air broadcast partner for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand. In partnership with Sky NZ, it provides daily simulcasts of dedicated Games coverage, including news programming and live event highlights.
However, ThreeNow’s streaming content is geo-restricted to New Zealand. Therefore, you will need a reliable VPN, like Surfshark, and connect to a New Zealand server to access the platform and watch the Games live.
Read More: How to Watch ThreeNow in Ireland
What Sports Are Included in the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
Glasgow 2026 features a 10-sport programme, plus six fully integrated Para sports, for a total of 16, making up 215 medal events across four venues.
| Sport | Venue |
|---|---|
| Athletics & Para Athletics | Scotstoun Stadium |
| Swimming & Para Swimming | Tollcross International Swimming Centre |
| Track Cycling & Para Track Cycling | Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome |
| Artistic Gymnastics | The Hydro |
| Boxing | The Arena |
| Judo | The Arena |
| Weightlifting & Para Powerlifting | SEC Armadillo |
| Netball | SEC Centre |
| Bowls & Para Bowls | SEC Centre |
| 3×3 Basketball & 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball | SEC Centre |
This is the smallest Commonwealth Games programme since 1994, with several sports from Birmingham 2022, including hockey, rugby sevens, cricket, badminton and table tennis, left out of Glasgow 2026.
Commonwealth Games 2026 Schedule
Here is the schedule for key sessions of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, in Irish time.
| Date | Sport | Event Highlights | Time (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 28 | Athletics | Heptathlon, High Jump, 400m Heats | 2:30 PM – 11:00 PM |
| July 28 | Gymnastics | Apparatus Finals (Vault, Beam, Parallel Bars) | Evening Session |
| July 28 | Boxing | Quarter-finals (Men's & Women's) | Afternoon/Evening |
| July 29 | Athletics | Heptathlon concludes, 200m/400m Heats | 2:30 PM – 11:30 PM |
| July 29 | Basketball | 3x3 Semi-Finals & Finals (Gold Medal Match) | 12:30 PM – 8:00 PM |
| July 30 | Athletics | Decathlon, Javelin Qualifiers, 800m Finals | 2:30 PM – 11:00 PM |
| July 30 | Weightlifting | Final Medal Sessions | Afternoon |
| July 31 | Judo | Medal Contests | All Day |
| July 31 | Boxing | Semi-finals | Afternoon/Evening |
| Aug 1 | Athletics | 10,000m Race Walk, Relays, One Mile Finals | 2:30 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Aug 1 | Boxing | Gold Medal Finals | Evening |
| Aug 2 | Closing | Closing Ceremony | Evening |
2026 Commonwealth Games Highlights to Watch For
The Glasgow Games bring a few storylines Irish fans will want to follow closely:
Team NI Interest: Gymnast Rhys McClenaghan headlines a 65-strong Northern Ireland contingent competing across nine sports.
A New Era: This is the first Commonwealth Games under King Charles III as Head of the Commonwealth, following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
Commonwealth Games 360: A brand-new dedicated channel airs live from 8:30 am to 10:30 pm daily, moving between venues to catch every key moment.
Glasgow’s Fourth Games: Following 1970 and 1986 in Edinburgh and 2014 in Glasgow, this marks Scotland’s fourth time hosting the Commonwealth Games.
Other Sporting Events to Watch in Ireland
If you’re a sports fan, here’s a list of other major sporting events you can watch in Ireland.
- Watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Ireland
- Watch the NBA in Ireland
- Watch NRL in Ireland
- Watch AFL in Ireland
FAQs – Commonwealth Games 2026
1. What are the Commonwealth Games?
The Commonwealth Games are a multi-sport event held every four years for athletes from nations of the Commonwealth. First held in 1930, the 2026 edition is the 23rd Games.
2. When and where is the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
The Games run from July 23 – August 2, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland.
3. How can I watch the Commonwealth Games in Ireland?
HBO Max holds exclusive streaming rights in Ireland, with TNT Sports coverage also available via Virgin Media set-top box for the duration of the Games.
4. Are there any Irish athletes competing in 2026?
Northern Ireland is competing as Team NI, with a 65-athlete contingent across nine sports, led by gymnast Rhys McClenaghan.
5. How many nations and athletes are competing?
Around 3,000 athletes from 74 nations are expected to compete across 215 medal events in 11 sports.
Conclusion
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games run from July 23 through August 2, 2026, marking Scotland’s fourth time as host. Team NI’s Rhys McClenaghan headlines a strong Northern Ireland contingent chasing medals across nine sports.
You can watch the Commonwealth Games in Ireland live on TNT Sports or for free on ThreeNow and 7Plus using a VPN. Surfshark is our #1 choice.
