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Commonwealth Games Sports

Although there have been many sports held at the Commonwealth Games, the specific sports at each edition of the Games has differed. The Commonwealth Games program is determined by the host nation, and the rules for inclusion of certain sports has changed over the years, resulting in a unique program for each year that the Games have been held.

New rules announced in 2021 state that athletics and swimming are the only compulsory sports for the Commonwealth Games, meaning there is flexibility for organizers to add different and varied disciplines to the program.

• Current Sports — There are only 10 sports on the program for the 2026 Commonwealth Games
• Sports Lists — See the complete listing for included sports for each year the Games have been held.
• Sport Selection — Read a discussion about the selection of sports on the Commonwealth Games program.
• Demonstration Sports — about exhibition sports at the Commonwealth Games.

All Sports That Have Been On The Program At Least Once

• Archery — 1982, 2010
• Athletics — 1930+
• Badminton — 1966–2022
• Basketball — 2006, 2018+
• Beach Volleyball — 2018, 2022
• Boxing — 1930+
• Cricket — 1998, 2022.
• Cycling (including track, road, BMX and mountain bike) — 1934+
• Diving — 1930–2022
• Fencing — 1950–1970
• Gymnastics (artistic) — 1978, 1990+
• Gymnastics (rhythmic) — 1994, 1998, 2006-2022
• Hockey — 1998–2022
• Judo — 1990, 2002, 2014, 2022+
• Lawn Bowls — 1930+ (except 1966)
• Netball — 1998+
• Parasports — 2002+
• Rowing— 1930, 1938–62, 1986
• Rugby 7s — 1998–2022
• Shooting (including clay target, pistol, small bore and air rifle, full bore rifle) — 1966, 1974–2018
• Squash — 1998–2022
• Swimming — 1930+
• Synchronized Swimming — 1986-2006
• Table Tennis — 2002–2022
• Tennis — 2010
• Tenpin Bowling — 1998
• Triathlon — 2002, 2006, 2014–2022
• Water Polo — 1950
• Weightlifting — 1950+
• Powerlifting — 2002+
• Wrestling — 1930–2022 (except 1990, 1998, 2010)

sprint event at the 1982 Commonwealth Games

Optional Sports which have never been on the program

• Canoeing
• Golf
• Sailing
• Softball
• Taekwondo

Recognized Commonwealth Games Sports

These sports are recognized by the Commonwealth Games Federation, but are not currently at the level for possible inclusion at the Commonwealth Games.

• Billiards
• Football (Soccer)
• Handball
• Life saving
• Open Water Swimming
• Rugby League
• Volleyball (indoor)

Possible New Sports

• eSports

Related Pages

• Para-sports on the Commonwealth Games program
• See the List of Commonwealth Games sports for each Games.
• Sports for Delhi 2010
• Sports for Glasgow 2014
• Sports for Gold Coast 2018
• Sports of Birmingham 2022

Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.