Archive · 22 Jul 2026
Commonwealth Games 2026: Exclusion of Major Sports Impacts India's Medal Chances
The Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow will have only 10 sports, which means some sports like wrestling, badminton, and hockey that India is good at will not be there.
This makes it harder for India to win as many medals as before.
India will send 125 athletes, which is fewer than the 215 they sent to the 2022 Games.
Wrestling, badminton, and table tennis have given India many medals in the past, so not having them will be a big loss.
Hockey and women's cricket, which India did well in, are also not included.
Shooting, which India has been successful in, is also left out again.
This means India will have fewer chances to win medals in 2026.
Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow will feature only 10 sports, excluding major medal contributors like wrestling, badminton, and hockey.
India's contingent for 2026 is reduced to 125 athletes, down from 215 in 2022.
Wrestling, which accounted for 12 medals (6 gold) in 2022, is a significant loss for India.
Badminton and table tennis, which contributed 6 and 7 medals respectively in 2022, are also excluded.
Hockey and women's cricket, where India has had success, are not included in the 2026 Games.
- Who
- India's athletes and sports officials
- What
- Exclusion of major sports from Commonwealth Games 2026
- When
- Commonwealth Games 2026
- Where
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Why
- To focus on a smaller number of sports for the 2026 edition
Optimistic View
Pessimistic View
Impact of Excluded Sports
Optimistic View
India can focus on other sports to compensate for the loss of wrestling, badminton, and hockey.
Pessimistic View
The exclusion of key sports like wrestling and badminton significantly reduces India's medal prospects.
- Event
- Commonwealth Games 2026
- Location
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Number of Sports
- 10
- Indian Contingent Size
- 125 athletes
- Excluded Sports
- Wrestling, Badminton, Table Tennis, Hockey, Shooting, Women's Cricket
- Medals from Wrestling in 2022
- 12 medals (6 gold)
- Medals from Badminton in 2022
- 6 medals (1 gold)
- Medals from Table Tennis in 2022
- 7 medals (4 gold)
- Medals from Hockey in 2022
- 2 medals (1 gold)
- Medals from Shooting in Past CWGs
- 135 medals (63 gold)
