King Charles III officially opened the 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Thursday, kicking off 10 days of competition in a streamlined edition designed to keep costs under control.
Around 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories will battle for 215 gold medals across 10 sports and six para-sports in the Scottish city, which last hosted the Games 12 years ago.
Accompanied by Queen Camilla, the King emerged from a TARDIS inspired by the British science fiction series Doctor Who, setting a light-hearted tone for the opening ceremony before taking his seat inside the 14,000-capacity OVO Hydro arena in the heart of the city.
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“As we gather, we celebrate the dedication and talent of every athlete and team. Your perseverance inspires us, and we eagerly anticipate your achievements in the coming days,” King Charles said while addressing the athletes.
“As we share our love of sport, and our planet, let us build a harmonious and lasting future for our families and one another.
“It is now my great pleasure to declare the twenty-third Commonwealth Games open.”
The first-ever indoor opening ceremony for the event, which began as the British Empire Games in 1930 and still largely features nations once under British imperial rule, marks part of a major overhaul of the Games after they came close to collapse three years ago.
Kenya will be among the nations competing at the Commonwealth Games, running from July 23 to August 2, with the team aiming to surpass previous performances.
Team Kenya arrives in Glasgow for the 2026 Commonwealth Games carrying the weight of continental expectations and a burning hunger for podium finishes.
Led by legendary Julius Yego and judo star Zeddy Cherotich, the 94-member delegation blends explosive young talent with seasoned experience across 12 disciplines.
Track and field remains Kenya’s greatest stronghold, spearheaded by Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, as he chases a historic Commonwealth 100m title defence.
He is joined by a formidable middle-distance squad featuring 800m world champion Lilian Odira, steeplechase sensation Faith Cherotich, and former world champion Timothy Cheruiyot, who is targeting gold in the newly introduced Mile event.
Beyond the track, Kenya will also rely on a determined contingent of boxers, 3×3 basketball players, hockey teams, judokas, and para-athletes to broaden the nation’s medal tally.
Backed by enhanced government cash incentives for medal winners, the squad is highly motivated to transform Glasgow’s arenas into a showcase of Kenyan sporting excellence.
Team Kenya Commonwealth Games 2026 Full Schedule (July 23 – August 2)
- July 23 (Thursday): Opening Ceremony at the OVO Hydro; preliminary rounds for lawn bowls and para bowls.
- July 24 (Friday): Swimming and para-swimming heats, track cycling events, and boxing preliminary bouts begin.
- July 25 (Saturday): Men’s judo categories, 3×3 basketball group-stage matches, and weightlifting competitions.
- July 26 (Sunday): Women’s judo events (featuring Zeddy Cherotich) and artistic gymnastics.
- July 27 (Monday): Track and field competition begins at Scotstoun Stadium, including the men’s 100m heats (Ferdinand Omanyala) and the women’s 10,000m final.
- July 28 (Tuesday): Men’s 100m semi-finals and final, plus the women’s 800m heats (Lilian Odira).
- July 29 (Wednesday): Medal contests in 3×3 basketball, para-powerlifting finals (Hellen Wawira), and the men’s Mile heats (Timothy Cheruiyot).
- July 30 (Thursday): Women’s 3,000m steeplechase final (Faith Cherotich) and boxing quarter-finals.
- July 31 (Friday): Men’s javelin throw final (Julius Yego) and the men’s Mile final.
- August 1 (Saturday): Men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay finals.
- August 2 (Sunday): Final team sport classification matches and the Closing Ceremony.