The upcoming Commonwealth Games, scheduled for July in Glasgow, represents a significant rebound for one of the world’s largest multi-sport events and marks a transformative moment for athletes from Fiji. Originally set to occur in Victoria, Australia, the 2026 Games faced upheaval when the Victorian government withdrew in 2023, citing costs that were expected to soar above A$7 billion. In response, Glasgow has stepped in to host a more efficient and cost-effective edition of the Games.
Glasgow, which previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2014, is preparing to receive about 3,000 athletes from 74 countries between July 23 and August 2. This year’s event aims to offer a “lighter and leaner” version of the Games, with an anticipated budget of £130 million to £150 million, largely supported by settlement funds from Victoria. The program has been streamlined to feature only 10 sports, a reduction from the 2022 Games in Birmingham, marking this edition the smallest since 1994 amid financial adjustments.
The sports featured will include athletics, swimming, boxing, judo, artistic gymnastics, track cycling, lawn bowls, netball, weightlifting, and the increasingly popular 3×3 basketball. A notable aspect of this edition is the significant inclusion of para-sports, featuring events like wheelchair basketball, para-athletics, para-swimming, and para-bowls. This commitment promises one of the most extensive para-sport offerings in Commonwealth Games history, with over 200 gold medals available.
For Fiji, the absence of rugby sevens—a sport that holds a profound cultural significance and has been a consistent source of medals—represents a notable shift. The Fijian teams celebrated silver medals in both men’s and women’s categories during the Birmingham 2022 Games. This year, however, the nation will focus on individual sports to achieve medals. Fiji has a rich Commonwealth Games history, having first participated in 1938 and garnering a total of 23 medals, including achievements in boxing, judo, and weightlifting.
Heading into Glasgow, Fiji’s Chef de Mission, Ajay Ballu, is set to lead a contingent of around 72 athletes competing across eight sports: athletics, para-athletics, swimming, boxing, judo, lawn bowls, weightlifting, and 3×3 basketball. While the team will miss the spotlight in netball and some other sports, Fiji’s athletes are gearing up diligently, with training camps and competitions designed to enhance their skills. Notably, weightlifting is highlighted by a recent gold medal victory at the Commonwealth Championships.
Among notable athletes, Taniela Rainibogi, who earned a bronze medal in Birmingham, is aiming for further success in Glasgow after winning gold in India at this year’s Commonwealth Championships. Emerging swimmers David “Tolu” Young and Anahira McCutcheon, both of whom have recent international experience, bring enthusiasm to the competition as they prepare following their participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games present both challenges and opportunities for Fiji, shifting focus toward individual competitors as the nation seeks to make its mark without rugby sevens. In the lead-up to the Games, Fiji will also host the King’s Baton Relay from February 25 to March 2, 2026, serving as a platform to showcase Fijian culture and spirit while carrying King Charles III’s message to the Commonwealth. The baton, designed by local artisans, will celebrate Fiji’s creativity and heritage during the Games’ opening ceremony, embodying hope and unity among the nations.