Less prestigious than the Olympics, but much more of an occasion than the various international governing bodies’ world championships, the Commonwealth Games has its roots in the past but its eyes on the future.
74 Commonwealth Games Association member countries spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and Oceania are taking part in Glasgow 2026, many of which barely get a glimpse of the global stage.
For example, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands, Eswatini, Gambia, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Malta, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and the Grenadines, Saint-Leon-Vincent and the Seychelles, Tuvalu and Vanuatu have yet to win Olympic silverware, yet are strongly represented at the Commonwealth Games in 2026.
Seeing their first Commonwealth Games silverware in Scotland this summer are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Brunei, Eswatini, Falkland Islands, Gabon, Gibraltar, Maldives, Montserrat, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Sierra Leone, Togo and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
It’s this lack of recognition that makes the event so special, so read on as we explain how to watch the Commonwealth Games for free in the UK.
Can you watch the Commonwealth Games for free in the UK?
Yes. S4C and BBC Alba each provides free Commonwealth Games coverage in the UK, with live streaming available via BBC iPlayer. The catch – and it’s a big one – is that S4C and BBC Alba are Welsh- and Gaelic-language channels respectively.
Another free option is 5which broadcasts a nightly highlights show.
Extensive free Commonwealth Games coverage, meanwhile, is available in many countries around the world, with the best English-language options 7 Plus in Australia and CBC Save in Canada.
Free to air ThreeNow in New Zealand also shows selected events from Glasgow 2026 live.
Are you spending time in the UK from Australia, Canada or New Zealand? You can use one VPN to watch the Commonwealth Games for free as if you were at home.
Use a VPN to watch any Commonwealth Games 2026 stream
A VPN is a handy piece of software that can make your device look like it’s back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with up to 75% off.
Why isn’t the BBC showing the Commonwealth Games?
The Commonwealth Games will be shown on the BBC – just not in English. As explained above, Glasgow 2026 is free to air S4C in Welsh and BBC Alba in Gaelic.
Both channels can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer.
The English-language rights to the Commonwealth Games belong to TNT Sports, which requires a subscription, the cheapest and most flexible option HBO Max.
Plans start at £25.99 per month, with rolling subscriptions available for £30.99.
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