Max SteventonGlasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games organisers have announced the opening ceremony will take place at the OVO Hydro.
The ceremony is scheduled for 23 July and will mark the first time in the event’s history that an opening ceremony is held in an indoor arena. The programme will begin an 11-day schedule of sporting competition across the city.
The OVO Hydro, part of the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), will serve as one of four venues for the Games. It is also scheduled to host the netball competition during the event.
Organisers said that the ceremony will focus on Glasgow’s history and communities. The production team includes Roxana Cole as show and staging director, Emily Jane Boyle as choreographer and Carole Millar as costume designer.
Trivandi, specialists in event delivery and operations at major events, was confirmed as the Games’ event delivery partner last year.
Glasgow 2026 will run from 23 July to 2 August and is expected to include more than 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories. The programme will feature 10 sports and six Para sports.
“The SEC is built for moments like the Commonwealth Games 2026 Opening Ceremony,” said SEC CEO Dominic McKay. “We’re incredibly proud to play such a central role in the opening celebrations, not just as a venue, but as a passionate partner committed to delivering an extraordinary Games for Glasgow and the entire Commonwealth.”