Olympic medalists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain led India into the Commonwealth Games 2026 opening ceremony as King Charles III officially declared the Games open in Glasgow on Wednesday.
Carrying the Indian tricolour, Mirabai and Lovlina walked into the OVO Hydro to a thunderous reception before being joined by the country’s 126-member contingent during the Parade of Nations. The Indian contingent received one of the loudest ovations of the evening as the 11-day sporting spectacle got underway in Scotland.
Commonwealth Games 2026 Opening Ceremony: HIGHLIGHTS
The opening ceremony marked the start of the 33rd Commonwealth Games, bringing together more than 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories. The competition will run until August 2 across 10 sports at four venues, making it the leanest edition of the Games in more than three decades. Six sports will also feature integrated para events, continuing the Commonwealth Games’ emphasis on inclusivity.
King Charles III, accompanied by Queen Camilla, formally inaugurated the Games in his capacity as Head of the Commonwealth. The monarch read out the message he had placed inside the King’s Baton during the Commonwealth Day celebrations at Buckingham Palace in March 2025 before declaring the Games open.
Before the ceremony, King Charles met baton bearers representing Commonwealth nations at a reception attended by Scottish First Minister John Swinney, the Duke of Edinburgh and other dignitaries.
Addressing athletes and officials, the King paid tribute to the spirit of the Commonwealth.
“Seeing the Batons arrive into Scotland today, in all their colourful glory, carried by inspiring athletes and para-athletes, reminds us once again that the Commonwealth is a unique and extraordinary family of nations,” he said.
“As we gather, we celebrate the dedication and talent of every athlete and team. Your perseverance inspires us, and we eagerly anticipate your achievements in the coming days.”
The King also highlighted the King’s Baton Relay Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign, a year-long initiative that removed more than one million pieces of plastic from waterways across Commonwealth nations.
“As we share our love of sport, and our planet, let us build a harmonious and durable future, for our families and each other,” he added.
The ceremony blended Scottish tradition with popular culture. Spectators were entertained by mascot Finnie during the pre-show, while Scottish wrestler Grado made a surprise appearance dressed as a teacake. The celebrations then shifted to a Doctor Who-themed sequence, with the iconic Tardis travelling across Scotland before materialising inside the Hydro. Cycling great Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh emerged from the famous time machine to loud applause.
Glasgow stepped in to rescue the Games after Australia’s Victoria state pulled out because of escalating costs. Having successfully hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the Scottish city has once again delivered the event by relying entirely on existing venues and infrastructure. The Games have been staged on a budget of around £160 million, almost 60 per cent lower than the Birmingham 2022 edition.
India have sent a 126-member contingent to Glasgow, competing across eight able-bodied sports and five para sports. Mirabai, who won silver at the Tokyo Olympics, and Lovlina, the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist in boxing, were chosen as India’s flag-bearers for the opening ceremony.
The challenge for India begins on Thursday, with medal events across multiple disciplines. However, the country’s medal tally is expected to be affected by the absence of several traditional powerhouse sports, including shooting, wrestling, badminton, hockey and cricket, from the programme.
India finished fourth at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 with 61 medals, including 22 gold. The country will host the next edition of the Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad in 2030, when the event returns as a full-scale Games featuring 17 sports.
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