Commonwealth Games Day 1 review: Bowls kick-start proceedings, injury withdrawals & sparkling opening ceremony

The wait is over. The 2026 Commonwealth Games has officially begun in Glasgow as 74 nations and an estimated 3,000 athletes prepare to compete across 11 days of sporting drama.

The city, who previously staged the Games in 2014, stepped in at short notice to take on hosting duties once more, after the Australian state of Victoria dropped out, citing the cost of holding the event.

This year’s instalment takes place on a smaller scale with 10 sports across four locations - Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome / Glasgow International Arena - with the full sporting programme beginning in earnest on Friday.

The first medal is set to be awarded in the para weightlifting competition, with 215 gold medals on offer.

Here is your comprehensive round-up of the action on the unofficial opening day of the Commonwealth Games...

Bowls get proceedings underway at SEC

Glasgow’s SEC venue hosted the first event on Thursday morning before the official opening ceremony, which organisers dubbed “day zero” after an extra bowls session was added due to a higher than expected number of entries.

Four rinks were in use, with men’s singles and ladies pairs among the first categories to get proceedings underway. Those in attendance to watch the early starters offered plenty of supporting noise from the stands.

Local hero Jason Banks received the biggest cheers on the opening day. Making his Games debut, Scotland’s 2025 World Indoor Bowls champion thrilled the home crowd by beating Jamaica’s Robert Simpson 2-0 in the tournament’s new quick-fire form.

Banks admitted: “I was nervous (this morning) with it being my first Commonwealth Games and the first match here. I’m just glad to get off to a winning start for Scotland. It does help having the crowd on your side, it’s nice to have that wee bit of help.”

President of World Bowls, Brett O’Riley, declared it was a major honour for the Bowls to be the first sport on offer, telling BBC Scotland: “It’s a series of firsts including a record bowls entry of countries, and a memorable milestone for our sport and its participants and officials.”

Dina Asher-Smith & Katarina Johnson-Thompson ruled out

Heptathlon Olympic silver medallist Katarina Johnson-Thompson has been forced to pull out of the Commonwealth Games because of injury, while Dina Asher-Smith and 400m Olympic Silver medallist Matt Hudson-Smith - who were both set to run relays for Team England at Scotstoun Stadium - have also been replaced.

Johnson-Thompson, 33, was due to compete in her third Commonwealth Games after winning gold on the Gold Coast in 2018 and at Birmingham in 2022. Team England have provided no details of her issue, and the withdrawal of such high-profile names is a significant blow for spectators hoping to catch a glimpse of some household names in Athletics next week.

King Charles address crowd at spectacular opening ceremony

The OVO Hydro was the destination for the Games’ opening ceremony this evening and featured performances from KT Tunstall, Nathan Evans, Callum Beattie and Nina Nesbitt among others.

During the pre-show, unicorn mascot Finnie entertained the crowd, while Scottish wrestler Grado made an appearance in a Tunnock’s Teacake costume - a prop similar to the one that featured prominently in the build up to Glasgow 2014 and paid homage to Glasgow.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla then made a dramatic entrance on stage as they walked out of Doctor Who’s famous telephone box, the Tardis after being piloted by cycling great Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh on a journey around Scotland.

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney were among the dignitaries watching on from the Royal Box as each nation’s delegation began parading in front of a packed crowd.

Team Scotland were eventually introduced to rapturous applause, led by flagbearer Alex ‘Tattie’ Marshall alongside baton bearer Sarah Adlington before the King rounded off proceedings by taking to the stage once more to declare the Commonwealth Games open.