Live: Parade of athletes begins after King Charles arrives by TARDIS

King Charles will officially declare the 2026 Commonwealth Games open during the ceremony from Glasgow's Hydro arena.Olympic pole vault champion Nina Kennedy is Australia's flag-bearer and Paralympic swim star Tim Hodge will carry the King's baton.More than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories will compete for 215 gold medals across 10 sports over 10 days.Follow live.Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 6:00amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 6:00amEuropean nations up nextWe're now onto the nations and territories of Europe.The first country we kick off with is Cyprus.And then England, who get a biiiigggg applause! Swimmer Luke Greenbank and bowler Sian Honnor lead out the team.King Charles and Queen Camilla look very proud to see them.England are Australia's biggest foe at the Games.Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 6:00amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 6:00amThe Aussies on the big stageFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:57amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:57amAthletes arrive at the HydroFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:54amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:54amWe are well behind scheduleThe athletes' parade was supposed to be finishing about six or seven minutes ago, with Scotland the last team out.But since when do these things run on time.Got the Valtos pumping and everyone's having a whale of a time.More countries. More pipes! MORE EVERYTHING!!Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:52amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:52amNew Zealand steps outOur friends from across the ditch have joined the parade.And they've brought their own foliage to add to the garden theme inside the Hydro.Proud of them, too!Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:49amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:49amThe Aussies are getting lightly scoldedWe've got a massive delegation here and they're taking their sweet time making their way to their seats.Some have stopped to pose for selfies, mostly with the royalty in the background.Volunteers and stern folks with headsets and clipboards are trying to get them moving.Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:48amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:48amNina Kennedy carries the flag for Australia(ABC News: Che Chorley)The reigning Olympic and world champion pole vaulter has carried Australia's flag into The Hydro for this opening ceremony.But preparation for these Games wasn't smooth sailing. She feared she might not have even make it to Glasgow after tearing a hamstring in April last year.Kennedy spoke with Jon Healy about her journey to these Games, which you can read more about below.Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:46amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:46amAUSTRALIANS ARRIVE!!What a moment for Tim Hodge and Nina Kennedy!!!Ahhh, I am smiling big smiles! Why am I so emotional...We have a team of 255 athletes. They all look soooo happy. Among the contingent was someone sitting on a teammate's shoulders. Not sure who it is but they're starting the party early.No matter what happens in the next 10 days, they have made us proud already.We'll get you pictures of the whole moment as soon as we have them.Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi.Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:45amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:45amThe cuteness is too much, guysAs the athletes enter the arena, projected on the screens wrapping around the upper decks are messages from local kids (or some well meaning and poorly read adults)."I hope you win the game, good luck best wishes from Gulalai""Good luck! I hope you enjoy Glasgow - our green place, you can do this!""Have fun you can do it. I hope you do well be brave.""Good luck. Believe in yourself be proud of yourself. From Leah.""Welcome!! It may be a bit dreich and we might be a bit rough around the edges but give us a chance and you'll find hearts of gold full of passion and social justice. You might struggle with the accents."Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:39amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:39amCaribbean nations step outWe're up to the nations of the Caribbean.The athletes look so happy out on stage. Lots of smiles, waving and phones held up to capture this incredible moment they will all cherish forever. I've even spotted a selfie stick or two. No shame.The soundtrack is still sensational, by the way.Saint Lucia gets a massive round of applause. There's only one of them out there (and she's not even an athlete from what I heard on the program) and she's carrying the flag, what a moment for her!Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:37amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:37amAn opening ceremony for everyoneUnlike other big sporting events, para sports have been integrated as part of the main competition since 2002.So you're seeing every athlete from a nation arrive here today, and we've seen quite a few para sports athletes carry their nation's flag already.Medals from para sports count towards a nation's medal tally just like any other, so keep that in mind as you're watching the table throughout the Games.Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:31amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:31amStill a ways to goSo they reckon this athlete parade will last a total of 45-55 minutes.We'll see if that's the case.We had the Americas nations just before and now we're onto Asia with Bangladesh making their way out first.We are keeping an eye out for our amazing Aussies! Can't wait to see them on stage!Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:29amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:29amThe order of arrivalInstead of arriving in alphabetical order, they're making their way into the Hydro in groups according to regions.We're in the Americas right now, if you're wondering why you haven't seen the Aussies yet.Hold tight folks, the green and gold won't be far away.(Getty: Ross MacDonald)Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:22amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:22amMeet Finnie!(Getty: Ross MacDonald)Everybody, say hello to Finnie.She's a unicorn and the official mascot of this year's Commonwealth Games.You may be wondering, "Why a unicorn?" Well, the unicorn is Scotland's national animal.Finnie was designed by Glasgow schoolkids and we'll be seeing her a lot over the next 11 days, so may as well get acquainted now.Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:17amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:17amParade music is a real vibeI'm really vibing out at my desk. This music is sensational for 5:15am.Celtic fusion duo Valtos are playing in the centre of the garden supported by local artists representing the regions of the Commonwealth. They are fusing live acoustic instruments with a driving electronic sound, weaving Celtic influences into a contemporary, danceable anthem.10/10, no notes.The stage is shaped like a Celtic knot and the teams are emerging from both sides. This is really wholesome so far.(AP)Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:16amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:16amWhat's the go with the batons?All 74 teams competing at these Games were given a baton as part of the King's Baton Relay.The batons were blank when given to the teams, and they've been asked to decorate them to represent their culture before returning them as part of the opening ceremony.Scotland's baton, as the host nation, has a special message chamber inside. King Charles placed a message in this chamber on March 10 last year when he launched the relay from Buckingham Palace.Each of the other batons has a single word from this message engraved on it.As we mentioned earlier, teams will "plant" these batons as part of the opening ceremony, making a garden to begin the Games(Getty: Jane Barlow)Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:09amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:09amAthletes make their way outThe parade is about to start.The athletes will enter the Hydro arena to the crowd and we're doing it in regions so the African nations go first.This is the first time in the Games' history where athletes will take centre stage before the ceremony formalities begin.We've got 74 nations to get through so get comfy!Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:08amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:08amBronx cheers for the King and Queen(ABC News: Che Chorley)It's fair to say Scotland has a mixed relationship with royalty, but you wouldn't know it from the Hydro's response just now.Some light back-row theatre work from Charles and Camilla as they leave the seemingly magically appearing TARDIS has the crowd enraptured.They're greeted by Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare before settling into their seats in the royal box alongside newly minted British prime minister Andy Burnham.(ABC News: Che Chorley)Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:05amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:05amKing Charles has arrived!Today's opening ceremony is being described as a love letter to Glasgow.AND HERE IS KING CHARLES! HE HAS COME OUT OF THE TARDIS ON STAGE WITH QUEEN CAMILLA!(Getty)Never thought I'd be saying that.They are now making their way to their seats and the national anthem is being played.Fri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:03amFri 24 Jul 2026 at 5:03amThe ceremony is officially beginningHere we gooooo!On screen, we're seeing the TARDIS going on a journey round Scotland to try and reach Balmoral Castle which is the home of the royal family in the Highlands.The TARDIS is the travelling time machine featured in the famous long-running BBC series Doctor Who, which has featured many Scottish 'Doctors' including Sylvester McCoy, David Tennant, Peter Capaldi and Ncuti Gatwa.