Commonwealth Games on TV 2026: How to Watch in UK, Australia, Canada

The 2026 Commonwealth Games are heading to Glasgow, Scotland. If you plan to watch from home, you need to know which channels and streaming services will carry the event. Exact broadcast schedules and channel numbers for 2026 are still being finalized, but the key broadcasters have been confirmed for the UK, Australia, and Canada. Here is what we know so far about how to watch the Commonwealth Games on TV.

UK: BBC and BBC iPlayer

In the United Kingdom, the BBC is the primary broadcaster for the Commonwealth Games. You can watch live coverage on BBC One and BBC Two, as well as via the BBC iPlayer streaming service. The BBC typically provides extensive coverage across multiple sports, with dedicated channels for key events. For viewers who want to stream on a phone, tablet, or laptop, BBC iPlayer is the go-to option — and it is free with a TV licence.

Australia: Channel 7 and 7plus

Australian viewers will find the Games on Channel 7, the long-time broadcast partner for the Commonwealth Games. Channel 7's free-to-air coverage will be complemented by its streaming platform, 7plus. This means you can watch live events on your TV or stream them on demand via the 7plus app. For those who prefer to follow the action on the go, 7plus is available on most devices.

Canada: CBC and CBC Gem

Canadian sports fans can tune into CBC for live broadcasts. CBC's streaming service, CBC Gem, will also carry the Games, offering both live and on-demand coverage. CBC Gem is free with ads, making it an accessible option for cord-cutters. The broadcaster typically provides comprehensive coverage of major multi-sport events, so expect a mix of live feeds and highlights.

Streaming Options for Other Regions

If you are outside these three countries, your local broadcaster will likely be announced closer to the event. Many Commonwealth nations have their own rights holders — for example, broadcasters in India, South Africa, and the Caribbean often carry the Games. A quick search for "Commonwealth Games 2026 TV" closer to July 2026 should surface the official listings for your region.

What About the Schedule?

Detailed daily schedules for the 2026 Commonwealth Games have not been published yet. Typically, the full event timetable — including start times for each sport — is released a few months before the opening ceremony. For now, you can bookmark the official Commonwealth Sport website and follow Yahoo Sports for news, scores, and schedule updates as they become available. TV channel numbers and exact broadcast dates will be updated as soon as they are confirmed.

King's Baton Relay: A Key Date

One confirmed date to circle: the King's Baton Relay begins in Trinidad and Tobago on March 11, 2025. This relay traditionally travels through Commonwealth nations before arriving at the host city for the opening ceremony. The relay route and schedule often give clues about which countries will have strong broadcast coverage.

How to Prepare

To make sure you do not miss a moment, here is a quick checklist:

• UK: Ensure your TV licence is up to date and that you have access to BBC iPlayer.
• Australia: Download the 7plus app and check that your TV can receive Channel 7.
• Canada: Sign up for a free CBC Gem account and test the stream on your device.
• Other regions: Follow local sports broadcasters on social media for announcements.

For those who want to stream without a traditional TV setup, services like BBC iPlayer, 7plus, and CBC Gem are all free (with registration or a TV licence in the UK). No cable subscription is required.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow promise to be a showcase of world-class athletics, swimming, gymnastics, and more. While exact TV channel numbers and broadcast times are still to come, the core broadcasters are locked in. Bookmark this page and check back closer to July 2026 for the full schedule and channel guide. In the meantime, you can also catch up on other major sports events — like the Commonwealth Games 2026 schedule — to get your sports fix.