📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Jimmy Harris from Melbourne, Australia
Sports
Cricket, Archery, Shooting Set to Return at 2026 Commonwealth Games
✍️ BBC
🗓 30 Jul 2026, 07:41 PM
👁 3
The organisers of the 2026 Commonwealth Games have confirmed that cricket, archery and shooting are likely to be reinstated after their absence in the previous edition.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held in Victoria, Canada, are moving closer to finalising their sport roster. In a recent statement, the Games’ organising committee announced that cricket, archery and shooting are poised to return to the programme after being omitted in the last edition.
The decision follows extensive consultations with national federations and reflects the growing demand for these sports among Commonwealth nations. Cricket, which has a massive following in India, has seen renewed interest from the Indian Cricket Board, while archery and shooting have consistently performed well in international competitions.
Indian athletes stand to benefit from the reinstatement, as the country has historically excelled in archery and shooting at multi‑sport events. The inclusion of cricket also opens up opportunities for a larger contingent of Indian players to compete on a global stage.
The organisers have stated that the final list of sports will be confirmed by the end of the year, and they are optimistic that the inclusion of these disciplines will enhance the Games’ appeal and competitive balance.
The decision follows extensive consultations with national federations and reflects the growing demand for these sports among Commonwealth nations. Cricket, which has a massive following in India, has seen renewed interest from the Indian Cricket Board, while archery and shooting have consistently performed well in international competitions.
Indian athletes stand to benefit from the reinstatement, as the country has historically excelled in archery and shooting at multi‑sport events. The inclusion of cricket also opens up opportunities for a larger contingent of Indian players to compete on a global stage.
The organisers have stated that the final list of sports will be confirmed by the end of the year, and they are optimistic that the inclusion of these disciplines will enhance the Games’ appeal and competitive balance.