Why isn’t the Commonwealth Games live on terrestrial TV?

THE latest edition of the Commonwealth Games will makes an eagerly-anticipated return to Glasgow for 2026. While Usain Bolt was roared on to victory by over 50,000 fans at Hampden Park over 12 years ago, peak crowds of around 11,000 are expected at Scotstoun Stadium. This year’s Commonwealth Games will not be shown on the BBC in 2026 Credit: REUTERS This year’s Games has been scaled back after Glasgow stepped in to host it at the last minute after Victoria, the Australian state where Melbourne is located, withdrew due to a lack of funding. Why is it not on terrestrial TV and which channels is it being shown on instead? Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Read on below for everything you need to know about how to watch the 2026 Commonwealth Games on TV. Why isn’t the Commonwealth Games on terrestrial TV? This year’s Games is not being shown on terrestrial TV due to a change in broadcasting rights. READ MORE COMMONWEALTH GAMES It marks the first time since 1954 that the BBC has not been the principal broadcaster for the Games Credit: Visionhaus via Getty Images That has seen HBO Max become the home of streaming for the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the BBC ”couldn’t match” TNT Sports’ offer to secure rights. That will see every live event be shown across the broadcaster’s channels, including on TNT Sports 2. Via HBO Max, TNT Sports will broadcast coverage on a daily basis from 8:30am until 10:30pm GMT. It also marks the first time since 1954 that the BBC has not been the principal broadcaster for the Games. Most read in Athletics What is the Commonwealth Games 2026 competition schedule? The confirmed daily action is as follows: Thursday, July 23 – Bowls and Para Bowls begin as part of the official competition schedule, with an opening session from 9.30am to 4.25pm, followed by the opening ceremony. Friday, July 24 – 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball begin; Artistic Gymnastics begins; Swimming and Para Swimming begin; Bowls and Para Bowls continue; Boxing begins; Para Powerlifting takes place in full, with all four finals decided across two sessions on the same day. Saturday, July 25 – Continuing competition in 3×3 basketball, gymnastics, swimming, bowls and boxing; Netball begins, with hosts Scotland facing New Zealand in the opening match at 9am. Sunday, July 26 – Weightlifting begins. Monday, July 27 – Athletics and Para Athletics begin. Tuesday, July 28 – Artistic Gymnastics concludes. Wednesday, July 29 – 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball conclude; Swimming and Para Swimming conclude. Thursday, July 30 – Weightlifting concludes; Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling begin. Friday, July 31 – Judo begins. Saturday, August 1 – Athletics and Para Athletics conclude; Boxing concludes, with all 14 weight category finals and medal ceremonies held on the day; the single busiest day of the Games, with 44 gold medals decided, including 19 athletics finals. Sunday, August 2 – Bowls and Para Bowls conclude, Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling conclude, Judo concludes, Netball’s gold medal match takes place, followed by the closing ceremony. Comment now