Highlights: Lovlina, Mirabai lead India's contingent in style

Commonwealth Games 2026Commonwealth Games 2026 Highlights: The Commonwealth Games 2026 began with a star-studded opening ceremony at Glasgow's OVO Hydro Arena. Around 3,000 athletes from 74 nations, including a strong Indian contingent led by Mirabai Chanu, will mark the start of the 11-day spectacle....Read MoreCommonwealth Games Live updates: Opening ceremony. (Image: Screengrab/SonyLIV) Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Commonwealth Games 2026. The opening ceremony takes centre stage today at Glasgow's OVO Hydro Arena on Friday, July 24, marking the official start of the Games. Jul 24, 2026 01:49 ISTCWG 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Scotland caps off colourful ceremonyWith the Parade of Nations complete, the spotlight has shifted to Scotland's cultural showcase. A rendition of Flower of Scotland echoed around the OVO Hydro, drawing a huge response from the home crowd. The ceremony then embraced Scottish folklore as actor Sam Heughan took centre stage in a playful sequence featuring a digital Loch Ness Monster, bringing the opening ceremony to a fittingly Scottish finish. You can watch it all on Sony Sports 2 or the Sony LIV app. Jul 24, 2026 01:39 ISTCWG 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Scotland brings parade to a closeThe host nation Scotland is the final delegation to enter the OVO Hydro Arena, bringing the colourful Parade of Nations to a close. The home contingent received the loudest ovation of the evening, with the Glasgow crowd rising to welcome its athletes as the Commonwealth Games 2026 opening ceremony entered its next phase. Jul 24, 2026 01:30 ISTCWG 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Europe closes the paradeThe Parade of Nations has entered its final regional segment with the European nations now marching into the OVO Hydro Arena. The Glasgow crowd has raised the volume once again, greeting the home nations and the rest of the European delegations with loud cheers as the colourful procession nears its conclusion. Jul 24, 2026 01:23 ISTCWG 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Saint Lucia earns loud ovationOne of the biggest cheers of the Parade of Nations was reserved for Saint Lucia, whose lone athlete carried both the King's Baton and the national flag into the OVO Hydro Arena. The unique moment drew a huge round of applause from the Glasgow crowd, celebrating the one-person delegation's proud appearance at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Jul 24, 2026 01:16 ISTCWG 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Parade reaches OceaniaThe Parade of Nations has now reached Oceania after delegations from Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Caribbean completed their march into the OVO Hydro Arena. Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and the other Oceania nations and territories are now taking centre stage as the colourful procession enters its final stretch before the opening ceremony moves on to the next segment. Jul 24, 2026 01:08 ISTCWG 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Indian contingent all smilesThe Indian contingent marched into the OVO Hydro Arena with smiles all around, waving miniature tricolours as athletes soaked in the atmosphere of the Commonwealth Games 2026 opening ceremony. Led by flag bearer Mirabai Chanu and ceremonial baton bearer Lovlina Borgohain, the contingent received a warm welcome from the Glasgow crowd as India's athletes celebrated the start of their campaign. Jul 24, 2026 01:05 ISTCommonwealth Games 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: India marches into OVO HydroIndia has made its entrance at the Commonwealth Games 2026 opening ceremony, led by Olympic medallists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain. In a symbolic moment, Lovlina first handed over the ceremonial baton before joining Mirabai to jointly hold the Indian tricolour as the contingent marched into the OVO Hydro Arena to loud applause from the Glasgow crowd. Jul 24, 2026 01:00 ISTCommonwealth Games 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Parade moves to AsiaThe Parade of Nations has now reached Asia after all 21 African nations completed their march into the OVO Hydro Arena, followed by the countries and territories from the Americas. Attention now turns to the Asian contingent, with India among the nations set to make its entrance later in the ceremony as Mirabai Chanu prepares to lead the team as flag bearer alongside ceremonial baton bearer Lovlina Borgohain. Jul 24, 2026 00:57 ISTCWG 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Americas next in paradeThe African leg of the Parade of Nations has concluded, with 21 countries marching into the OVO Hydro Arena, ending with Zambia. The ceremony now moves on to the Americas, where nations and territories from the region will continue the colourful procession as the Parade of Nations gathers pace in Glasgow. Jul 24, 2026 00:51 ISTCWG 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Chanu, Lovlina ready for the big stageIndia's opening ceremony flag bearer Mirabai Chanu and ceremonial baton bearer Lovlina Borgohain are all smiles ahead of the Parade of Nations in Glasgow. The duo posed together before the ceremony, with both Olympians set to play key roles as India joins athletes from 74 nations and territories at the OVO Hydro Arena for the official start of the Commonwealth Games 2026. Image: Screengrab from X/@iamrahultrehan Jul 24, 2026 00:42 ISTCommonwealth Games 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: African nations lead paradeThe Parade of Nations is beginning with the African nations, with the 74 participating nations and territories reportedly marching into the OVO Hydro Arena in alphabetical order by region. Botswana led the procession, followed by Cameroon, as the colourful parade got underway in Glasgow ahead of the official opening of the Commonwealth Games 2026. Jul 24, 2026 00:41 ISTCommonwealth Games 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Botswana, Cameroon march inThe Parade of Nations is officially underway at the OVO Hydro Arena, with Botswana becoming the first country to march into the stadium to a warm reception from the Glasgow crowd. Cameroon soon followed, as athletes proudly waved their national flags while making their way into the arena, setting the tone for the colourful procession featuring all 74 participating nations. Jul 24, 2026 00:38 ISTCWG 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Hoy joins King CharlesSix-time Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy made his entrance alongside King Charles III and Queen Camilla as the opening ceremony got underway at the OVO Hydro Arena in Glasgow. Hoy, one of Scotland's greatest sporting icons, revealed in 2024 that he had been diagnosed with stage-four cancer. He received a standing ovation from the crowd as he accompanied the royal couple, who then made their way to their seats before the national anthem marked the formal start of the Commonwealth Games 2026 opening ceremony. Image: Reuters Jul 24, 2026 00:32 ISTCWG 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: India contingent ready to marchIndia's contingent has assembled at the OVO Hydro Arena ahead of the Parade of Nations, with athletes and officials sharing glimpses from inside the venue before the opening ceremony. Flag bearer Lovlina Borgohain posted photos on social media alongside her teammates, writing: "We are all set for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games here at Glasgow." Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu will lead India during the Parade of Nations, while Lovlina will serve as the ceremonial baton bearer as the Games officially get underway in Glasgow. Jul 24, 2026 00:07 ISTCWG 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Mirabai eyes bigger prizeMirabai Chanu has revealed that she will not push herself to the limit at the Commonwealth Games, choosing instead to prioritise the Asian Games later this year. The Tokyo Olympics silver medallist said she will not attempt the 90kg snatch in Glasgow, with her training programme geared towards peaking at the Asian Games, where she hopes to win her maiden medal. "I will not give my full effort in the Commonwealth Games. My focus is the Asian Games, which are very near," Chanu told PTI. The Indian weightlifting star remains the overwhelming favourite to defend her Commonwealth Games title despite opting for a measured approach. Jul 23, 2026 23:54 ISTCWG Opening Ceremony Live: Entertainment line-upThe opening ceremony will feature an all-Scottish entertainment lineup, headlined by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter KT Tunstall and chart-topping musician Tom Walker. They will be joined by fellow Scottish performers Nina Nesbitt, Callum Beattie, Nathan Evans, rock band Saint PHNX and electro-Celtic duo Valtos. Athletes from all 74 participating Commonwealth nations and territories will take part in the traditional Parade of Nations. One of the ceremony's centrepieces will be the gathering of 74 specially designed ceremonial batons, with each baton representing a Commonwealth nation or territory. Jul 23, 2026 23:31 ISTCWG Opening Ceremony Live: IOA president on Mirabai, Lovlina"It is a matter of pride that Mirabai and Lovlina will be doing the honours at the OVO Hydro. I wish both the girls and the entire contingent good luck," IOA president PT Usha said. Glasgow 2026 will see all the participating 74 nations and territories receiving their own individually designed batons, reflecting the unique socio-cultural aspects of each nation.Jul 23, 2026 23:19 ISTCommonwealth Games 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: India ready to marchIndia will be led into the OVO Hydro Arena by Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu, who has been named the country's flag bearer. Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain will serve as India's ceremonial baton bearer as the contingent prepares for the Parade of Nations. Jul 23, 2026 23:19 ISTCommonwealth Games 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Royals expectedThe opening ceremony is also expected to be attended by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The royal couple were present at the Birmingham 2022 opening ceremony and are once again set to witness the official start of the Commonwealth Games. Jul 23, 2026 23:19 ISTCommonwealth Games 2026 Opening Ceremony Live: Finnie takes centre stageThe Glasgow Games will also introduce their newest ambassador. Finnie the Unicorn, the official mascot of the Commonwealth Games 2026, is set to make its first major appearance during the opening ceremony and will feature prominently throughout the Games. Load More