Commonwealth Games declared open as Mirabai, Lovlina leads India in Show of Nations

Olympic medalists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain led India into the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games when King Charles III. on Wednesday officially declared the games open in Glasgow.

Wearing the Indian tricolor, Mirabai and Lovlina walked into the OVO Hydro to a rousing reception before being joined by the country’s 126-strong contingent during the Parade of Nations. The Indian contingent received one of the loudest ovations of the evening as the 11-day sporting spectacle kicked off in Scotland.

2026 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony: CORE VALUES

The opening ceremony marked the start of the 33rd Commonwealth Games, which brought together more than 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth countries and territories. The competition will run until August 2 in 10 sports across four venues, making it the leanest edition of the Games in more than three decades. The six sports will also include integrated para events, continuing the Commonwealth Games emphasis on inclusivity.

King Charles III, accompanied by Queen Camilla, formally opened the games in his capacity as head of the Commonwealth. The monarch read a message he inserted into the royal baton during the Commonwealth Day celebrations at Buckingham Palace in March 2025 before declaring the games open.

Before the ceremony, King Charles met baton bearers representing Commonwealth nations at a reception attended by Scottish First Minister John Swinney, the Duke of Edinburgh and other dignitaries.

Addressing athletes and officials, the King paid tribute to the spirit of the Commonwealth.

“Seeing the Batons arrive in Scotland today, in all their colorful glory, carried by inspirational athletes and para-athletes, reminds us once again that the Commonwealth is a unique and extraordinary family of nations,” he said.

“As we come together, we celebrate the dedication and talent of each athlete and team. Your perseverance inspires us and we look forward to your successes in the days ahead.”

The King also highlighted the King’s Baton Relay Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign, a year-long initiative that has removed more than one million pieces of plastic from waterways across the Commonwealth.

“As we share our love for sport and our planet, let’s build a harmonious and sustainable future for our families and each other,” he added.

The ceremony blended Scottish tradition with popular culture. During the pre-show, the mascot Finnie entertained the audience, while Scottish wrestler Grado made a surprise appearance dressed as a teacake. The celebrations then moved into a Doctor Who-themed sequence, with the iconic Tardis traveling across Scotland before materializing inside the Hydro. Cycling great Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh emerged from the famous time machine to loud applause.

Glasgow stepped in to save the Games after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out due to rising costs. The Scottish city, which successfully hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2014, once again delivered the event by relying entirely on existing venues and infrastructure. The Games were staged on a budget of around £160 million, almost 60 percent less than the Birmingham 2022 edition.

India has sent a 126-member contingent to Glasgow, competing in eight able-bodied and five para sports. Mirabai, who won silver at the Tokyo Olympics, and Lovlina, the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist in boxing, were chosen as India’s flag bearers for the opening ceremony.

The challenge for India begins on Thursday with medal events in several disciplines. However, the country’s medal tally is expected to be affected by the absence of several traditional powerhouse sports, including shooting, wrestling, badminton, hockey and cricket in the programme.

India finished fourth at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games with 61 medals, including 22 gold. The country will host the next edition of the Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad in 2030, when the event will return as a full-fledged Games with 17 sports.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

24 Jul 2026 02:02 IST