REHEARSALS BEGIN FOR GLASGOW 2026 OPENING CEREMONY

Rehearsals ongoing for Commonwealth games 2026

Rehearsals have kicked off for the Glasgow 2026 Opening Ceremony, which will take place on 23 July in the iconic Hydro, officially lifting the curtain on 10 days of world-class sporting celebration in the city.

 

Volunteer cast members have gathered at one of the first rehearsal sessions as Glasgow 2026 prepares to welcome the world in 20 days.

Organisers auditioned 800 ceremony hopefuls earlier this year before selecting a cast of 600, featuring alongside local dance groups, traditional cultural performers and community organisations.   The show, which will be staged at the city’s Hydro on 23 July, will be orchestrated by Glasgow-based theatre director Roxana Cole and choreographer Emily Jane Boyle. It will also feature a star-studded lineup which organisers are keeping under wraps. Speaking at rehearsals, Roxana said: “It’s all starting to feel very real now that rehearsals have started. We’re currently rehearsing in a different venue with the staging marked out and the imagination is working hard to see the full vision, but in a rehearsal session this week I had goosebumps realising that we have the essence of an incredible show. I can’t wait to take it into the space it’s been made for – The Hydro.   “My favourite thing about these rehearsals is community. We’ve brought all these cast members together from all ages and backgrounds and there’s a real sense of belonging. Glasgow has an extraordinary sense of warmth and acceptance and that will be a defining characteristic of this show.”   The Opening Ceremony will take audiences on a kaleidoscopic journey through Glasgow, Scotland and the Commonwealth, with performances from major international artists, emerging talent and a cast of volunteers from across Glasgow, Scotland and beyond.   Singers from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Youth Chorus will perform the National Anthem and Scottish Dance Theatre performers will also appear in the star-studded opening extravaganza.   Cast member Kira Ewing, watched her mum perform as a highland dancer at the 1986 Commonwealth Games and dreamt of following in her footsteps. Now, she’s rehearsing to perform in the 2026 Ceremony, she said: “My mum spoke a lot about her experience of being involved in the Opening Ceremony in Edinburgh and it inspired me to want to be in a ceremony one day and experience it for myself.   “I’m so excited to be part of such an incredible group of dancers, performing on a stage in my home country. These rehearsals are giving me a peek behind the curtain and from what I’ve seen so far, it’s going to me amazing! I think it will be quite emotional stepping out on that stage on 23 July living my dream.”   Electronic-trad band Valtos, one of Scotland’s most exciting live acts, have teamed up with a number of different musicians from across the Commonwealth to soundtrack the ceremonial Parade of Nations. The Skye band’s signature sound, blending traditional Scottish and electronic music, will fill the arena when athletes and teams from the 74 nations and territories step out and present their Baton. Valtos will echo one of the major themes of the ceremony, which reflects the city’s Clydebuilt manufacturing legacy.   Martyn MacDonald of Valtos said: “Our music is shaped by the traditions and unique sounds of Gaelic culture, so it feels natural to us to showcase some sounds from around the world for the Parade of Nations - one of the most traditional moments of an Opening Ceremony.   “We’re now working hard to pull together our set that will be performed in the Hydro – if you know our sound, you know it will be full of energy. We will interweave traditional sounds that we know, and love, alongside our passion for electronic music with a nod to the Commonwealth nations. We can’t wait to see how the crowds react and hope they’ll join us in giving the Commonwealth nations a big Scottish welcome.”   Louisa Mahon, Chief Marketing and Ceremonies Officer, added: “This is a ceremony, reimagined. There will be surprises, there will be spectacle, and there will be the kind of warmth and welcome that only Glasgow can give, which we have seen capture hearts and minds across USA during the World Cup. This is going to be a night to remember. Don’t miss it, get your tickets today.”

About Glasgow 2026 Glasgow 2026 promises an altogether brilliant Commonwealth Games, paving the way for a new era of Commonwealth Sport.    Taking place from 23 July to 2 August, Glasgow 2026 is an 11-day celebration that combines world-class sport with a future-focused vision, built and delivered by the vibrant spirit of Glasgow. Set within a concentrated, eight-mile corridor that brings the Games closer to the fans than ever before, Glasgow 2026 will deliver: A record-breaking Para sport programme – 47 events across six sports The biggest Track Cycling, Swimming and 3x3 Basketball competitions seen at a Commonwealth Games Groundbreaking events like the return of the Commonwealth Mile in Athletics 10 exhilarating sports across four of the city’s iconic venues; from Scotstoun Stadium to   the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Arena, to Tollcross International Swimming Centre. Glasgow 2026 will see 3,000 volunteers, alongside thousands of fans, and communities from across the city join together to welcome 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories to the city. Led by Chair George Black CBE, an independent Board and Chief Executive Officer, Phil Batty OBE, Glasgow 2026 Limited is the Organising Company (OC) which will deliver the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next summer.    Based in the city centre, the OC will directly employ around 160 people and is privately funded, securing its income through Commonwealth Sport, corporate sponsorship, broadcast rights, global partnerships and ticket sales, which will see almost £150 million local spend into the city of Glasgow, with no cost to the public purse to deliver the sporting competition. About Commonwealth Sport Commonwealth Sport is the organisation with responsibility for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games, and for delivering the vision of the Commonwealth Sport Movement: 'Our Commonwealth, united through sport'. Our mission is to deliver inspirational and impactful Games; to excite and empower athletes and young people; and to drive equality in sport and society across the Commonwealth. Established in 1930, the Commonwealth Sport Movement brings together 74 independent nations and territories creating a diverse Commonwealth community of over 2.5 billion individuals, representing one-third of the world's population. Together we stand as a beacon of unity, diversity, and equality, completely integrating Para athletes, driving gender equality and advocating for legacy and social change through sport.    About Commonwealth Games Scotland Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) is one of 74 Commonwealth Games Associations who are members of the Commonwealth Games Federation.    Commonwealth Games Scotland is the lead body for Commonwealth sport in Scotland, and is the organisation responsible for selecting, preparing and leading Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games. Scotland has competed in every Games since the first Empire Games in 1930 and has hosted the Games three times - twice in Edinburgh 1970 and 1986 and most recently in Glasgow in 2014. Working closely with Scotland’s national governing bodies of sport and the sportscotland institute of sport, Commonwealth Games Scotland aims to have the best prepared team possible at every Games, creating the right performance environment and giving athletes every opportunity to excel at the Games, as part of a world class sporting system.    Commonwealth Games Scotland and its member sports rely on investment, including National Lottery support, from sportscotland, the national agency for sport. CGS also actively seeks additional support for team preparations from commercial partners, fundraising activities and the Commonwealth Games Endowment Trust. About Longines Established in Saint-Imier, Switzerland in 1832, Longines’ expertise is steeped in tradition, elegance and performance. With its lengthy experience as an official timekeeper of world sports championships and partner of international sports federations, the Swiss watch brand has forged solid, enduring links with the world of sports over the years. Famous for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the world’s leading manufacturer of timepieces. The brand Longines, with its winged hourglass emblem, is represented in over 150 countries. Email sundayonuchukwu1@gmail.com