The 2026 Commonwealth Games, held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2, 2026, feature a streamlined but highly competitive program of 10 sports bringing together nearly 3,000 athletes from 74 nations. With high-profile disciplines scaled back due to host changes, several returning champions and world-record holders from across the globe serve as the biggest draw.

Seven global stars at CWG 2026

Meet seven most popular stars at Commonwealth Games 2026. 

  1. Neeraj Chopra (India)

India’s javelin icon Neeraj Chopra leads the Indian athletics squad in Glasgow after missing the previous edition due to injury. As an Olympic and World champion, the 28-year-old superstar recently shattered expectations by breaching the historic 90-metre barrier with a national record throw of 90.23m.

Fully recovered from a lower-back issue, Chopra is eager to reclaim his title. He faces intense, world-class competition from familiar South Asian rivals in what promises to be one of the most highly anticipated, fiercely contested events of the entire Games.

  1. Adam Ramsay-Peaty (England

British swimming legend Adam Ramsay-Peaty has returned to the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, the exact venue where his international career took off twelve years ago. At 31, the three-time Olympic gold medalist and long-time dominant force in the breaststroke faced an emotional, high-stakes campaign in Scotland.

Despite entering with a heavy training block designed for a golden revival, Ramsay-Peaty had to settle for a hard-fought bronze medal in a dramatic 100m breaststroke final, showcasing his raw vulnerability and enduring fighting spirit under intense media scrutiny.

  1. Shericka Jackson (Jamaica)

Jamaican sprint sensation Shericka Jackson is using the Glasgow Games to stage a measured, high-profile comeback following the frustrating injuries that sidelined her from Paris. A five-time Olympic medalist and reigning world champion, the 31-year-old speedster recently reclaimed her national 100m crown in an impressive 10.81 seconds.

In Scotland, Jackson is strategically anchoring Jamaica's elite 4x100m relay squad. She has brought immense star power and elite world-class sprinting depth to the packed Scotstoun Stadium track.

  1. Josh Kerr (Scotland)

Scotland’s own middle-distance phenomenon Josh Kerr has entered the host-nation arena as a global headliner after pulling off an extraordinary athletic feat. Just days before the opening ceremony, Kerr stunned the track world at the London Diamond League by clocking a phenomenal 3:42.66 to shatter Hicham El Guerrouj's legendary 27-year-old world record in the mile.

Driven by childhood dreams of competing on these exact Scottish tracks, the reigning Olympic medalist is the absolute favorite to capture gold and put on an unforgettable show for his home crowd.

  1. Chad le Clos (South Africa)

South African swimming icon Chad le Clos continues his historic relationship with the Commonwealth Games, entering the Glasgow pool with legendary status. As one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the movement, the veteran butterfly specialist is fueled by the ambition to become the outright most decorated male athlete in CWG history and become the athlete with the most medals count.

His presence provides the swimming program with a profound sense of longevity, elite experience, and star-studded rivalry, serving as a massive inspiration for younger African swimmers competing on the global stage.

  1. Rhys McClenaghan (Northern Ireland)

Northern Ireland’s gymnastics maestro Rhys McClenaghan has brought supreme athletic artistry to the Glasgow International Arena as the undisputed king of the pommel horse. Holding the rare and prestigious honour of being the reigning Olympic, World, and European champion, McClenaghan's routine is a masterclass in precision, difficulty, and composure.

He stands as Northern Ireland's premier gold medal hope, carrying immense pressure while executing the flawless, fluid movements that have made him an unmatched global force in men's artistic gymnastics.  

  1. Emma Finucane (England)

Welsh track cycling sensation Emma Finucane has arrived at the Commonwealth Games, carrying the unstoppable momentum of a phenomenal multi-champion season. She has already completely dominated the velodrome by capturing the Olympic, World, and European individual sprint titles, the powerful rider is the undisputed athlete to beat in track cycling. Representing Team Wales, Finucane’s explosive speed, tactical brilliance, and fierce competitive drive make her a marquee attraction for local cycling enthusiasts hoping to witness record-breaking performances on the high-speed track.