BBC Replaced By TNT Sports For Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Coverage
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will be shown live in the UK by TNT Sports, ending the BBC’s long-running role as the main broadcast partner for the event. It will be the first time since 1954 that the BBC, which had provided free-to-air coverage for more than seven decades, will not be the main broadcaster. TNT Sports, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, secured the rights after outbidding the BBC, with organisers opting for a larger financial deal as they work to balance tight budgets.
TNT plans to deliver more than 600 hours of live coverage across its channels, with every sport and event also streamed on HBO Max when the platform launches in the UK and Ireland in March. Some content could still be made available free-to-air, but full live coverage will sit behind a paywall.
Scott Young, executive vice president at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe, said the broadcaster’s approach would be “comprehensive, immersive and accessible”. He added:
“We are confident our approach will celebrate the history of the Commonwealth Games while telling new stories of its competitors with unmatched energy and excitement.”
The Games will run from 23rd July to 2nd August and feature 10 sports and six para sports in an 11-day programme spread across venues within Glasgow. Around 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories are expected to compete, with 215 gold medals on offer.
Phil Batty, chief executive of Glasgow 2026, said the deal would result in more coverage than ever before. “This broadcast partnership, secured by Commonwealth Sport, reflects our shared ambition to take coverage of the Games to new and growing audiences.”
Still, the move away from free-to-air television has sparked concern about public engagement. The BBC’s wall-to-wall coverage has played a big role in making past UK-hosted Games feel like major national moments, particularly in Manchester in 2002, Glasgow in 2014 and Birmingham in 2022. Without full live access on a major free channel, some question whether the same buzz can be recreated.
Glasgow stepped in as host at short notice after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew due to rising costs, despite promising “a multi-million pound investment” to help finalise the deal. The result is a scaled-down version of the Games, with fewer sports and athletes, and no major legacy projects planned for the city.
Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadleir said the new broadcast deal fits a wider reset for the event. “This is another landmark moment as we continue to re-imagine what a Commonwealth Games looks and feels like for athletes and fans alike,” she said. “With more events available live and a strong focus on athlete storytelling, fans will be closer to the Games than ever before.”
TNT Sports already holds UK rights to major events including the Winter Olympics in Milan and the 2028 Summer Games, and views the Commonwealth Games deal as a significant win after losing other high-profile rights.
Details of any free-to-air coverage are yet to be confirmed.
