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The Commonwealth Games is a quadrennial international multi-sport event among athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations, which consists mostly, but not exclusively, of territories of the former British Empire. The event was first held in
1930 Events January * January 15 – The Moon moves into its nearest point to Earth, called perigee, at the same time as its fullest phase of the Lunar Cycle. This is the closest moon distance at in recent history, and the next one will be ...
as the British Empire Games and, with the exception of 1942 and 1946 (which were cancelled due to World War II), has successively run every four years since. The event was called the British Empire Games from 1930 to
1950 Events January * January 1 – The International Police Association (IPA) – the largest police organization in the world – is formed. * January 5 – 1950 Sverdlovsk plane crash, Sverdlovsk plane crash: ''Aeroflot'' Lisunov Li-2 cr ...
(four editions), the British Empire and Commonwealth Games from
1954 Events January * January 1 – The Soviet Union ceases to demand war reparations from West Germany. * January 3 – The Italian broadcaster RAI officially begins transmitting. * January 7 – Georgetown-IBM experiment: The fir ...
to
1966 Events January * January 1 – In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa takes over as military ruler of the Central African Republic, ousting President David Dacko. * January 3 – 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état: President Maurice Yaméogo i ...
(four editions), and the British Commonwealth Games from
1970 Events January * January 1 – Unix time epoch reached at 00:00:00 UTC. * January 5 – The 7.1 Tonghai earthquake shakes Tonghai County, Yunnan province, China, with a maximum Mercalli intensity scale, Mercalli intensity of X (''Extrem ...
to
1974 Major events in 1974 include the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis and the resignation of United States President Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal. In the Middle East, the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War determined politics; f ...
(two editions). The event removed the word ''British'' from its title for the
1978 Events January * January 1 – Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747 passenger jet, crashes off the coast of Bombay, killing 213. * January 5 – Bülent Ecevit, of Republican People's Party, CHP, forms the new government of Turkey (42nd go ...
Games and has maintained its current name ever since (twelve editions as of 2024). Athletes with a disability have been included as full members of their national teams since 2002, making the Commonwealth Games the first fully inclusive international multi-sport event. In 2018, the Games became the first global multi-sport event to feature an equal number of men's and women's medal events, and four years later they became the first global multi-sport event to have more events for women than men. Inspired by the
Inter-Empire Championships The 1911 Festival of Empire was the biggest single event held at The Crystal Palace in London since its opening. It opened on 12 May and was one of the events to celebrate the coronation of King George V. The original intention had been that Edw ...
, part of the 1911 Festival of Empire,
Melville Marks Robinson Melville Marks Robinson (April 8, 1888 – June 6, 1974) was a Canadian journalist and sports executive, also known as M. M. Robinson and Bobby Robinson. He was the sports editor of ''The Hamilton Spectator'', and founded the British Empire Games ...
founded the British Empire Games which was first held in Hamilton, Canada in 1930. As time progressed, the Games evolved, adding the Commonwealth Paraplegic Games for athletes with a disability (who were barred from competing from 1974 before being fully integrated by
1990 File:1990 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The 1990 FIFA World Cup is played in Italy; The Human Genome Project is launched; Voyager I takes the famous Pale Blue Dot image- speaking on the fragility of Humankind, humanity on Earth, Astroph ...
) and the Commonwealth Youth Games for athletes aged 14 to 18. The event is overseen by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), which controls the sporting programme and selects host cities. The games movement consists of international sports federations (IFs), Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) and organising committees for each specific Commonwealth Games. Certain traditions, such as the hoisting of the Commonwealth Games flag and Queen's Baton Relay, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies, are unique to the Games. Over 4,500 athletes competed at the latest Commonwealth Games in 25 sports and over 250 medal events, including Olympic and Paralympic sports and certain non-Olympic sports popular in Commonwealth countries: netball, lawn
bowls Bowls, also known as lawn bowls or lawn bowling, is a sport in which the objective is to roll biased balls so that they stop close to a smaller ball called a "jack" or "kitty". It is played on a bowling green, which may be flat (for "flat-gre ...
and squash. Usually, the first, second and third-place finishers in each event are awarded gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively. Several sports, such as rugby sevens (2016) and squash (2028) have appeared at the Commonwealth Games before later being added to the Olympic schedule, while netball and lawn bowls remain Commonwealth Games sports only. One of the differences from other multisport events is that fifteen CGAs participating in the Commonwealth Games do not send their delegations independently to the Olympic, Paralympic and other multisports competitions: thirteen are linked to the British Olympic Association, one is part of the Australian Olympic Committee and another is part of the New Zealand Olympic Committee. They are the four constituent Home Nations of the United Kingdom ( England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), six of the
British Overseas Territories The British Overseas Territories (BOTs), also known as the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs), are fourteen dependent territory, territories with a constitutional and historical link with the United Kingdom. They are the last remna ...
( Anguilla, Falkland Islands,
Gibraltar ) , anthem = " God Save the King" , song = " Gibraltar Anthem" , image_map = Gibraltar location in Europe.svg , map_alt = Location of Gibraltar in Europe , map_caption = United Kingdom shown in pale green , mapsize = , image_map2 = Gib ...
,
Montserrat Montserrat ( ) is a British Overseas Territories, British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. It is part of the Leeward Islands, the northern portion of the Lesser Antilles chain of the West Indies. Montserrat is about long and wide, with r ...
,
Saint Helena Saint Helena () is a British overseas territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is a remote volcanic tropical island west of the coast of south-western Africa, and east of Rio de Janeiro in South America. It is one of three constitu ...
and Turks and Caicos Islands), the Crown Dependencies (
Guernsey Guernsey (; Guernésiais: ''Guernési''; french: Guernesey) is an island in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy that is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, a British Crown Dependency. It is the second largest of the Channel Islands ...
, Isle of Man, and Jersey), along with the Australian territory of
Norfolk Island Norfolk Island (, ; Norfuk: ''Norf'k Ailen'') is an external territory of Australia located in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and New Caledonia, directly east of Australia's Evans Head and about from Lord Howe Island. Together with ...
and the New Zealand associated state of Niue. Despite being overseas territories rather than sovereign states, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands and
Cayman Islands The Cayman Islands () is a self-governing British Overseas Territory—the largest by population in the western Caribbean Sea. The territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are located to the ...
send their own delegations to the Olympic Games. Twenty cities in nine countries (counting England, Scotland and Wales as separate Commonwealth Games federations) have hosted the games.
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
has hosted the Commonwealth Games five times (
1938 Events January * January 1 ** The Constitution of Estonia#Third Constitution (de facto 1938–1940, de jure 1938–1992), new constitution of Estonia enters into force, which many consider to be the ending of the Era of Silence and the a ...
,
1962 Events January * January 1 – Western Samoa becomes independent from New Zealand. * January 3 – Pope John XXIII excommunicates Fidel Castro for preaching communism. * January 8 – Harmelen train disaster: 93 die in the wors ...
,
1982 Events January * January 1 – In Malaysia and Singapore, clocks are adjusted to the same time zone, UTC+8 (GMT+8.00). * January 13 – Air Florida Flight 90 crashes shortly after takeoff into the 14th Street bridges, 14th Street Bridge in ...
,
2006 File:2006 Events Collage V1.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2006 Winter Olympics open in Turin; Twitter is founded and launched by Jack Dorsey; The Nintendo Wii is released; Montenegro 2006 Montenegrin independence referendum, votes to declare ...
and
2018 File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...
), more than any other nation. Two cities have hosted Commonwealth Games more than once: Auckland (
1950 Events January * January 1 – The International Police Association (IPA) – the largest police organization in the world – is formed. * January 5 – 1950 Sverdlovsk plane crash, Sverdlovsk plane crash: ''Aeroflot'' Lisunov Li-2 cr ...
,
1990 File:1990 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The 1990 FIFA World Cup is played in Italy; The Human Genome Project is launched; Voyager I takes the famous Pale Blue Dot image- speaking on the fragility of Humankind, humanity on Earth, Astroph ...
) and Edinburgh (1970,
1986 The year 1986 was designated as the International Year of Peace by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 ** Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands by separating from the Netherlands Antilles. **Spain and Portugal ente ...
). Glasgow will be the third city to host the games more than once (2014 and 2026). The most recent Commonwealth Games, the 22nd or ''XXII'', was held in Birmingham from 28 July to 8 August 2022. The confirmation of hosts has become a major issue for the event as the withdrawal of numerous host cities for the
2026 Commonwealth Games The 2026 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXIII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Victoria 2026, is a multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth scheduled to take place across four regional sites in the Australian state ...
led to speculation that the 2022 edition may have been the last. However, the city of Glasgow was confirmed as the host city for the 2026 games in September 2024. The next Commonwealth Games, the 23rd or ''XXIII'', will be held in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August 2026.


History

A sporting competition bringing together the members of the British Empire was first proposed by John Astley Cooper in 1891, five years before the first modern Olympic Games, who wrote letters and articles for several periodicals suggesting a "Pan Brittanic, Pan
Anglican Anglicanism is a Western Christian tradition that has developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the context of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. It is one of th ...
Contest every four years as a means of increasing goodwill and understanding of the British Empire." John Astley Cooper Committees were formed in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to promote the idea and inspired Pierre de Coubertin to start the international Olympic Games movement. In 1911, an Inter-Empire Championship was held alongside the Festival of Empire, at The Crystal Palace in London to celebrate the
coronation of George V The coronation of George V and his wife Mary as King and Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and as Emperor and Empress of India, took place at Westminster Abbey, London, on Thursday 22 June 1911. This was the second of fou ...
, and were championed by The Earl of Plymouth and Lord Desborough. Teams from Australasia (Australia and New Zealand), Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom competed in events for athletics, boxing, swimming and wrestling. Canada won the championships and was presented with a silver cup (gifted by Lord Lonsdale) which was high and weighed . A correspondent of the ''
Auckland Star The ''Auckland Star'' was an evening daily newspaper published in Auckland, New Zealand, from 24 March 1870 to 16 August 1991. Survived by its Sunday edition, the ''Sunday Star'', part of its name endures in ''The Sunday Star-Times'', created in ...
'' criticised the Games, calling them a "grievous disappointment" that were "not worthy of the title of 'Empire Sports'". While planning for the
1928 Summer Olympics The 1928 Summer Olympics ( nl, Olympische Zomerspelen 1928), officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad ( nl, Spelen van de IXe Olympiade) and commonly known as Amsterdam 1928, was an international multi-sport event that was celebrated from ...
in Amsterdam, Amateur Athletic Union of Canada executive
J. Howard Crocker John Howard Crocker (April 19, 1870November 27, 1959) was a Canadian educator and sports executive. He began teaching physical education at the YMCA, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in his hometown of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, then g ...
spoke with journalist
Melville Marks Robinson Melville Marks Robinson (April 8, 1888 – June 6, 1974) was a Canadian journalist and sports executive, also known as M. M. Robinson and Bobby Robinson. He was the sports editor of ''The Hamilton Spectator'', and founded the British Empire Games ...
of '' The Hamilton Spectator'', about hosting an international sporting event in Canada. Robinson proposed and lobbied to host what became the
British Empire Games The Commonwealth Games, often referred to as the Friendly Games or simply the Comm Games, are a quadrennial international multi-sport event among athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930, and, with the exce ...
in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1930. Robinson then served as the manager of the Canadian track and field team for the 1930 British Empire Games. Although there are 56 sovereign states that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, there are 72 Commonwealth Games Associations. They are divided into six regions (Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Oceania) and each has a similar function to the
National Olympic Committee A National Olympic Committee (NOC) is a national constituent of the worldwide Olympic movement. Subject to the controls of the International Olympic Committee, NOCs are responsible for organizing their people's participation in the Olympic Games ...
s in relation with their countries or territories. In some, like India and South Africa, the CGA functions are assumed by their NOCs. Only six national federations have participated in every Commonwealth Games: Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales. Of these six, Australia, England, Canada and New Zealand have each won at least one gold medal in every Games. Australia has been the highest-achieving team for thirteen editions of the Games, England for seven and Canada for one. These three teams also top the all-time Commonwealth Games medal table in that order.


Editions


British Empire Games

The
1930 British Empire Games The 1930 British Empire Games were the inaugural edition of what now is known as the Commonwealth Games, and were held in Hamilton, Ontario, from 16 to 23 August 1930. The games were organized by ''Hamilton Spectator'' sportswriter Bobby Robinso ...
was the first of what later became known as the Commonwealth Games, and was held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada from 16 to 23 August 1930 and opened by Lord Willingdon. Eleven countries: Australia, Bermuda, British Guyana, Canada, England, Northern Ireland,
Newfoundland Newfoundland and Labrador (; french: Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador; frequently abbreviated as NL) is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region ...
, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales, sent a total of 400 athletes to compete in athletics, boxing, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming and diving and wrestling. The opening and closing ceremonies as well as athletics took place at Civic Stadium. The cost of the Games were $97,973. Women competed in only the aquatic events. Canadian triple jumper Gordon Smallacombe won the first ever gold medal in the history of the Games. The
1934 British Empire Games The 1934 British Empire Games were the second edition of what is now known as the Commonwealth Games, held in England, from 4–11 August 1934. The host city was London, with the main venue at Wembley Park, although the track cycling events wer ...
was the second of what is now known as the Commonwealth Games, held in London, England. The host city was London, with the main venue at Wembley Park, although the track cycling events were in Manchester. The 1934 Games had originally been awarded to Johannesburg, but was given to London instead because of serious concerns about prejudice against Asian and black athletes in South Africa. The affiliation of Irish athletes at the 1934 Games representation remains unclear but there was no official Irish Free State team. Sixteen national teams took part, including new participants Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Southern Rhodesia and Trinidad and Tobago. The
1938 British Empire Games The 1938 British Empire Games was the third British Empire Games, the event that evolved to become the Commonwealth Games. Held in Sydney, Australia from 5–12 February 1938, they were timed to coincide with Sydney's sesqui-centenary (150 ye ...
was the third British Empire Games, which was held in
Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...
, New South Wales,
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
. It was timed to coincide with Sydney's sesqui-centenary (150 years since the foundation of British settlement in Australia). Held in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time, the III Games opening ceremony took place at the famed
Sydney Cricket Ground The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is a sports stadium in Sydney, Australia. It is used for Test cricket, Test, One Day International and Twenty20 cricket, as well as, Australian rules football and occasionally for rugby league, rugby union and as ...
in front of 40,000 spectators. Fifteen nations participated down under at the Sydney Games involving a total of 464 athletes and 43 officials.
Fiji Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
and
Ceylon Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...
made their debuts. Seven sports were featured in the Sydney Games – athletics, boxing, cycling, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming and diving and wrestling. The
1950 British Empire Games The 1950 British Empire Games was the fourth staging of what is now called the Commonwealth Games. It was held in Auckland, New Zealand between 4 and 11 February 1950, after a 12-year gap from the third edition of the games. The main venue was ...
was the fourth edition and was held in Auckland, New Zealand after a twelve-year gap from the third edition of the games. The fourth games was originally awarded to Montreal, Canada and was to be held in 1942, but was cancelled due to the Second World War. The opening ceremony at
Eden Park Eden Park is New Zealand's largest sports stadium, with a capacity of 50,000. Located in central Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, it is three kilometres southwest of the CBD, on the boundary between the suburbs of Mount Eden and King ...
was attended by 40,000 spectators, while nearly 250,000 people attended the Auckland Games. Twelve countries sent a total of 590 athletes to Auckland.
Malaya Malaya refers to a number of historical and current political entities related to what is currently Peninsular Malaysia in Southeast Asia: Political entities * British Malaya (1826–1957), a loose collection of the British colony of the Straits ...
and Nigeria made their first appearances.


British Empire and Commonwealth Games

The fifth edition of the Games, the
1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games Events January * January 1 – The Soviet Union ceases to demand war reparations from West Germany. * January 3 – The Italian broadcaster RAI officially begins transmitting. * January 7 – Georgetown-IBM experiment: The fi ...
, was held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This was the first event since the name change from British Empire Games took effect in 1952, the same year of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. The fifth edition of the Games placed Vancouver on a world stage and featured memorable sporting moments as well as outstanding entertainment, technical innovation and cultural events. The 'Miracle Mile', as it became known, saw both the gold medallist,
Roger Bannister Sir Roger Gilbert Bannister (23 March 1929 – 3 March 2018) was an English neurologist and middle-distance athlete who ran the first sub-4-minute mile. At the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Bannister set a British record in the 1500 metres and ...
of England and silver medallist John Landy of Australia, run sub-four-minute races in an event that was televised live across the world for the first time.
Northern Rhodesia Northern Rhodesia was a British protectorate in southern Africa, south central Africa, now the independent country of Zambia. It was formed in 1911 by Amalgamation (politics), amalgamating the two earlier protectorates of Barotziland-North-West ...
and Pakistan made their debuts and both performed well, winning eight and six medals respectively. The
1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games The 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games (Welsh: Gemau Ymerodraeth Prydain a'r Gymanwlad 1958) were held in Cardiff, Wales, from 18–26 July 1958. Thirty-five nations sent a total of 1,130 athletes and 228 officials to the Cardiff Games ...
was held in Cardiff, Wales. The sixth edition of the games marked the largest sporting event ever held in Wales and it was the smallest country ever to host a British Empire and Commonwealth Games. Cardiff had to wait twelve years longer than originally scheduled to become host of the Games, as the 1946 event was cancelled because of the Second World War. The Cardiff Games introduced the Queen's Baton Relay, which has been conducted as a prelude to every British Empire and Commonwealth Games ever since. Thirty-five nations sent a total of 1,122 athletes and 228 officials to the Cardiff Games and 23 countries and dependencies won medals, including for the first time, Singapore, Ghana, Kenya and the Isle of Man. In the run up to the Cardiff games, many leading sports stars including Stanley Matthews, Jimmy Hill and Don Revie were signatories in a letter to ''The Times'' on 17 July 1958 deploring the presence of white-only South African sports, opposing 'the policy of apartheid' in international sport and defending 'the principle of racial equality which is embodied in the Declaration of the Olympic Games'. The
1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games The 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Perth, Australia, from 22 November to 1 December 1962. Athletic events were held at Perry Lakes Stadium in the suburb of Floreat and swimming events at Beatty Park in North Perth. The ...
was held in Perth, Western Australia. Thirty-five countries sent a total of 863 athletes and 178 officials to Perth. Jersey was among the medal winners for the first time, while British Honduras,
Dominica Dominica ( or ; Kalinago: ; french: Dominique; Dominican Creole French: ), officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island country in the Caribbean. The capital, Roseau, is located on the western side of the island. It is geographically ...
, Papua and New Guinea and St Lucia all made their inaugural Games appearances.
Aden Aden ( ar, عدن ' Yemeni: ) is a city, and since 2015, the temporary capital of Yemen, near the eastern approach to the Red Sea (the Gulf of Aden), some east of the strait Bab-el-Mandeb. Its population is approximately 800,000 people. ...
also competed by special invitation. Sarawak,
North Borneo North Borneo (usually known as British North Borneo, also known as the State of North Borneo) was a British Protectorate, British protectorate in the northern part of the island of Borneo, which is present day Sabah. The territory of North Borneo ...
and
Malaya Malaya refers to a number of historical and current political entities related to what is currently Peninsular Malaysia in Southeast Asia: Political entities * British Malaya (1826–1957), a loose collection of the British colony of the Straits ...
competed for the last time, before taking part in 1966 under the
Malaysian flag The national flag of Malaysia, also known as the Stripes of Glory ( ms, Jalur Gemilang), is composed of a field of 14 alternating red and white stripes along the fly and a blue canton bearing a crescent and a 14-point star known as the ''Bin ...
. In addition, Rhodesia and Nyasaland competed in the Games as an entity for the first and only time. The
1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games The 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Kingston, Jamaica, from 4 to 13 August 1966. This was the first time that the Games had been held outside the so-called White Dominions. They were followed by the 1966 Commonwealth P ...
was held in
Kingston Kingston may refer to: Places * List of places called Kingston, including the five most populated: ** Kingston, Jamaica ** Kingston upon Hull, England ** City of Kingston, Victoria, Australia ** Kingston, Ontario, Canada ** Kingston upon Thames, ...
, Jamaica. This was the first time that the Games had been held outside the so-called
White Dominion The term ''Dominion'' is used to refer to one of several self-governing nations of the British Empire. "Dominion status" was first accorded to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland, South Africa, and the Irish Free State at the 1926 ...
s. Thirty-four nations (including
South Arabia South Arabia () is a historical region that consists of the southern region of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia, mainly centered in what is now the Republic of Yemen, yet it has also historically included Najran, Jizan, Al-Bahah, and 'Asi ...
) competed in the
Kingston Kingston may refer to: Places * List of places called Kingston, including the five most populated: ** Kingston, Jamaica ** Kingston upon Hull, England ** City of Kingston, Victoria, Australia ** Kingston, Ontario, Canada ** Kingston upon Thames, ...
Games, sending a total of 1,316 athletes and officials.


British Commonwealth Games

The
1970 British Commonwealth Games The 1970 British Commonwealth Games (Scottish Gaelic: Geamannan a 'Cho-fhlaitheis Bhreatainn 1970) were held in Edinburgh, Scotland, from 16 to 25 July 1970. This was the first time the name British Commonwealth Games was adopted, the first tim ...
was held in Edinburgh, Scotland. This was the first time the name British Commonwealth Games was adopted, the first time metric units rather than imperial units were used in events, the first time the games were held in Scotland and also the first time that HM Queen Elizabeth II attended in her capacity as Head of the Commonwealth. The
1974 British Commonwealth Games The 1974 British Commonwealth Games ( mi, 1974 Taumāhekeheke Commonwealth) were held in Christchurch, New Zealand from 24 January to 2 February 1974. The bid vote was held in Edinburgh at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games. The Games were off ...
was held in Christchurch, New Zealand. The event was officially named ''The Friendly Games'', and was also the first edition to feature a theme song. Following the massacre of Israeli athletes at the
1972 Munich Olympics The 1972 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad () and commonly known as Munich 1972 (german: München 1972), was an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from 26 August to 11 September 1972. ...
, the tenth games at Christchurch were the first multi-sport event to place the safety of participants and spectators as its uppermost requirement. Security guards surrounded the athlete's village and there was an exceptionally high-profile police presence. Only 22 countries succeeded in winning medals from the total haul of 374 medals on offer, but first time winners included Western Samoa,
Lesotho Lesotho ( ), officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a country landlocked country, landlocked as an Enclave and exclave, enclave in South Africa. It is situated in the Maloti Mountains and contains the Thabana Ntlenyana, highest mountains in Sou ...
and Swaziland (since 2018 named
Eswatini Eswatini ( ; ss, eSwatini ), officially the Kingdom of Eswatini and formerly named Swaziland ( ; officially renamed in 2018), is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by Mozambique to its northeast and South Africa to its no ...
). The theme song for the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was called "Join Together".


Commonwealth Games

The
1978 Commonwealth Games The 1978 Commonwealth Games were held in Edmonton, Alberta from 3 to 12 August 1978, two years after the 1976 Summer Olympics were held in Montreal, Quebec. They were boycotted by Nigeria, in protest at New Zealand's sporting contacts with apar ...
was held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. This event was the first to bear the current day name of the Commonwealth Games, and also marked a new high as almost 1,500 athletes from 46 countries took part. They were boycotted by Nigeria in protest against New Zealand's sporting contacts with apartheid-era South Africa, as well as by Uganda in protest at alleged Canadian hostilities toward the government of Idi Amin. The
1982 Commonwealth Games The 1982 Commonwealth Games were held in Brisbane, Australia, from 30 September to 9 October 1982. The Opening Ceremony was held at the QEII Stadium (named after Elizabeth II), in the Brisbane suburb of Nathan. The QEII Stadium was also the a ...
was held in Brisbane, Queensland,
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
. Forty-six nations participated in the Brisbane Games with a new record total of 1,583 athletes and 571 officials. As hosts, Australia headed the medal table leading the way ahead of England, Canada, Scotland and New Zealand respectively. Zimbabwe made its first appearance at the Games, having earlier competed as Southern Rhodesia and as part of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The theme song for the 1982 Commonwealth Games was called "You're Here To Win". The
1986 Commonwealth Games The 1986 Commonwealth Games ( gd, Geamannan a 'Cho-fhlaitheis 1986) were held in Edinburgh, Scotland, between 24 July and 2 August 1986. They were the second Games to be held in Edinburgh. Thirty two of the eligible fifty nine countries (largel ...
was held in Edinburgh, Scotland and were the second Games to be held in Edinburgh. Participation at the 1986 Games was affected by a boycott by 32 African, Asian and Caribbean nations in protest at British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's refusal to condemn sporting contacts of apartheid era South Africa in 1985, but the Games rebounded and continued to grow thereafter. Twenty-six nations did attend the second Edinburgh Games, and sent a total of 1,662 athletes and 461 officials. The theme song for the 1986 Commonwealth Games was called "Spirit Of Youth". The
1990 Commonwealth Games The 1990 Commonwealth Games ( mi, 1990 Taumāhekeheke Commonwealth) were held in Auckland, New Zealand from 24 January – 3 February 1990. It was the 14th Commonwealth Games, and part of New Zealand's 1990 sesquicentennial celebrations. Partic ...
was held in Auckland, New Zealand. It was the fourteenth Commonwealth Games, the third to be hosted by New Zealand and Auckland's second. A new record of 55 nations participated in the second Auckland Games, sending 2,826 athletes and officials. Pakistan returned to the Commonwealth in 1989 after withdrawing in 1972, and competed in the 1990 Games after an absence of twenty years. The theme song for the 1990 Commonwealth Games was called "This Is The Moment". The
1994 Commonwealth Games The 1994 Commonwealth Games ( French: ''XVéme Jeux du Commonwealth'') were held in Victoria, British Columbia, from 18 to 28 August 1994. Ten types of sports were featured at the Victoria Games: athletics, aquatics, badminton, boxing, cycling, ...
was held in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. This event was the fourth to take place in Canada. The games marked another point of South Africa's return to the sporting atmosphere following the apartheid era, and over thirty years since the country last competed in the Games in 1958. A former South African territory Namibia made its Commonwealth Games debut. It was also Hong Kong's last appearance at the games before the transfer of sovereignty from Britain to China. Sixty-three nations sent 2,557 athletes and 914 officials. The theme song for the 1994 Commonwealth Games was called "Let Your Spirit Take Flight". The
1998 Commonwealth Games The 1998 Commonwealth Games ''(Malay: Sukan Komanwel 1998)'', officially known as the XVI Commonwealth Games ''(Malay: Sukan Komanwel ke-16)'', was a multi-sport event held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This edition is marked by several unprecedent ...
was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For the first time in its 68-year history, the Commonwealth Games was held in Asia. The event was also the first Games to feature team sports (cricket,rugby 7's,netball and field hockey) along ten pin bowling and squash– an overwhelming success that added large numbers to both participant and TV audience numbers. A new record of 70 countries sent a total of 5,065 athletes and officials to the Kuala Lumpur Games. The top five countries in the medal standing were Australia, England, Canada, Malaysia (who made their best games' performance until that date) and South Africa.
Nauru Nauru ( or ; na, Naoero), officially the Republic of Nauru ( na, Repubrikin Naoero) and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country and microstate in Oceania, in the Central Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Ki ...
also achieved an impressive haul of three gold medals. Cameroon, Mozambique, Kiribati and Tuvalu debuted. The theme song for the 1998 Commonwealth Games was called "Forever As One".


During the 21st century

The
2002 Commonwealth Games The 2002 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XVII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Manchester 2002 were held in Manchester, England, from 25 July to 4 August, 2002. The 2002 Games were to be hosted in the United Kingdom to coin ...
was held in Manchester, England. The event was hosted in England for the first time since 1934 and hosted to coincide with the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II, head of the
Commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has been synonymous with "republic". The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the ...
. In terms of sports and events, the 2002 event was until the 2010 edition the largest Commonwealth Games in history featuring 281 events across 17 sports. The final medal tally was led by Australia, followed by host England and Canada. The 2002 Commonwealth Games had set a new benchmark for hosting the Commonwealth Games and for cities wishing to bid for them with a heavy emphasis on legacy. The theme song for the 2002 Commonwealth Games was called " Where My Heart Will Take Me". The
2006 Commonwealth Games The 2006 Commonwealth Games, officially the XVIII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Melbourne 2006 (Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm 2006'' or ''Naarm 2006''), was an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth held ...
was held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The only difference between the 2006 games and the 2002 games was the absence of Zimbabwe, which withdrew from the Commonwealth of Nations. For the first time in the history of the Games the
Queen's Baton The Queen's Baton Relay is a relay around the world held prior to the beginning of the Commonwealth Games. The Baton carries a message from the Head of the Commonwealth, currently King Charles III. The Relay traditionally begins at Buckingha ...
visited every single Commonwealth nation and territory taking part in the Games, a journey of . Over 4000 athletes took part in the sporting competitions. Again the Top 3 on the medal table is Australia, followed by England and Canada. The theme song for the 2006 Commonwealth Games was called "Together We Are One". The
2010 Commonwealth Games The 2010 Commonwealth Games (Hindi: 2010 राष्ट्रमण्डल खेल), officially known as the XIX Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Delhi 2010, was an international multi-sport event that was held in Delhi, India, f ...
was held in Delhi, India. The Games cost $11 billion and is the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever. It was the first time that the Commonwealth Games was held in India, also the first time that a
Commonwealth republic The republics in the Commonwealth of Nations are the sovereign states in the organisation with a republican form of government. , 36 out of the 56 member states were republics. Charles III, who is the reigning monarch in the Commonwealth realms ...
hosted the games and the second time it was held in Asia after Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998. A total of 6,081 athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and dependencies competed in 21 sports and 272 events. The final medal tally was led by
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
. The host nation India achieved its best performance ever in any sporting event, finishing second overall.
Rwanda Rwanda (; rw, u Rwanda ), officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of Central Africa, where the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa converge. Located a few degrees south of the Equator ...
made its Games debut. The theme song for the 2010 Commonwealth Games was called "Live, Rise, Ascend, Win". The
2014 Commonwealth Games The 2014 Commonwealth Games ( gd, Geamannan a' Cho-fhlaitheis 2014), officially known as the XX Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Glasgow 2014, ( sco, Glesca 2014 or Glesga 2014; gd, Glaschu 2014), was an international multi-sport ev ...
was held in Glasgow, Scotland. It was the largest multi-sport event ever held in Scotland with around 4,950 athletes from 71 different nations and territories competing in 18 different sports, outranking the 1970 and 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, capital city of Scotland. Usain Bolt competed in the 4×100 metres relay of the 2014 Commonwealth Games and set a
Commonwealth Games record Commonwealth Games records are the best performances in a specific edition of the event's history. As the Commonwealth Games only accepts athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations, the records are not considered as prestigious as World records ...
with his teammates. The Games received acclaim for their organisation, attendance, and the public enthusiasm of the people of Scotland, with the CGF chief executive Mike Hooper hailing them as "the standout games in the history of the movement". The
2018 Commonwealth Games The 2018 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXI Commonwealth Games and also known as Gold Coast 2018, was an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth that were held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, bet ...
was held in Gold Coast, Queensland,
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
, the fifth time Australia hosted the Games. There were an equal number of events for men and women, the first time in history that a major multi-sport event had equality in terms of events. The
2022 Commonwealth Games The 2022 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Birmingham 2022, was an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth of Nations that took place in Birmingham, England bet ...
was held in Birmingham, England. It was the third Commonwealth Games to be hosted in England, following London 1934 and
Manchester 2002 The 2002 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XVII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Manchester 2002 were held in Manchester, England, from 25 July to 4 August, 2002. The 2002 Games were to be hosted in the United Kingdom to coin ...
. The 2022 Commonwealth Games coincided with the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II and the tenth anniversary of the
2012 Summer Olympics The 2012 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad and also known as London 2012) was an international multi-sport event held from 27 July to 12 August 2012 in London, England, United Kingdom. The first event, the ...
and the
2012 Summer Paralympics The 2012 Summer Paralympics, branded as the London 2012 Paralympic Games, were an international multi-sport parasports event held from 29 August to 9 September 2012 in London, England, United Kingdom. They were the 14th Summer Paralympic Gam ...
, both staged in London. The 2022 Commonwealth Games was the last edition to be held under Queen Elizabeth II, before her death on 8 September 2022. On 16 February 2022, it was announced that the
2026 Commonwealth Games The 2026 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXIII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Victoria 2026, is a multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth scheduled to take place across four regional sites in the Australian state ...
would be held for a record sixth time in
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
, but for the first time they would be decentralised, as the state of Victoria signed as host 'city'. The event were to have four regional clusters mainly focused in
Bendigo Bendigo ( ) is a city in Victoria, Australia, located in the Bendigo Valley near the geographical centre of the state and approximately north-west of Melbourne, the state capital. As of 2019, Bendigo had an urban population of 100,991, makin ...
region, and another three regional centres. The 2026 Commonwealth Games were to be the first games to be held under the reign of King Charles III. It was also confirmed that the Commonwealth Games, scheduled for 2030 were likely to be awarded to Hamilton, Canada. However, in July 2023, the Victorian Premier
Daniel Andrews Daniel Michael Andrews (born 6 July 1972) is an Australian politician serving as the 48th and current premier of Victoria since December 2014. He has been the leader of the Victorian branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) since December ...
announced that Victoria would no longer host the 2026 Games, with Alberta, pulling out of their part in a joint Canadian bid for the 2030 edition of the Games shortly after. The Scottish government agreed to hold the 2026 games in Glasgow, following Victoria's cancellation, however the games will be "scaled down" with only 10 sports being staged in four venues, and a commitment that public funds would not be required. Many commentators are now questioning the continuing viability of the Commonwealth Games. The three nations to have hosted the Commonwealth Games the most times are Australia (5), Canada (4) and New Zealand (3). With the 2022 games, England increased its number to three. Seven Games have taken place in the countries within the United Kingdom ( Scotland (3) and Wales (1)), two in Asia ( Malaysia (1) and India (1)) and one in the Caribbean ( Jamaica (1)). The event has been awarded to, but never been held in, Africa, with Durban being stripped of the 2022 Games following financial issues. On 17 September 2024 since Australia withdrew, Glasgow was confirmed as the replacement city for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.


Paraplegic Games

The Commonwealth Paraplegic Games were an international, multi-sport event involving athletes with a disability from the Commonwealth countries. The event was sometimes referred to as the Paraplegic Empire Games and British Commonwealth Paraplegic Games. Athletes were generally those with
spinal injuries A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that causes temporary or permanent changes in its function. Symptoms may include loss of muscle function, sensory system, sensation, or autonomic nervous system, autonomic function in the p ...
or polio. The event was first held in 1962 and disestablished in 1974. The Games were held in the country hosting the Commonwealth Games for able-bodied athletes. The countries that had hosted the Commonwealth Paraplegic Games were Australia, Jamaica, Scotland and New Zealand in
1962 Events January * January 1 – Western Samoa becomes independent from New Zealand. * January 3 – Pope John XXIII excommunicates Fidel Castro for preaching communism. * January 8 – Harmelen train disaster: 93 die in the wors ...
,
1966 Events January * January 1 – In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa takes over as military ruler of the Central African Republic, ousting President David Dacko. * January 3 – 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état: President Maurice Yaméogo i ...
,
1970 Events January * January 1 – Unix time epoch reached at 00:00:00 UTC. * January 5 – The 7.1 Tonghai earthquake shakes Tonghai County, Yunnan province, China, with a maximum Mercalli intensity scale, Mercalli intensity of X (''Extrem ...
and
1974 Major events in 1974 include the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis and the resignation of United States President Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal. In the Middle East, the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War determined politics; f ...
. Six countries – Australia, England, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales — had been represented at all Commonwealth Paraplegic Games. Australia and England had been the top-ranking nation two times each:
1962 Events January * January 1 – Western Samoa becomes independent from New Zealand. * January 3 – Pope John XXIII excommunicates Fidel Castro for preaching communism. * January 8 – Harmelen train disaster: 93 die in the wors ...
,
1974 Major events in 1974 include the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis and the resignation of United States President Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal. In the Middle East, the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War determined politics; f ...
and
1966 Events January * January 1 – In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa takes over as military ruler of the Central African Republic, ousting President David Dacko. * January 3 – 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état: President Maurice Yaméogo i ...
,
1970 Events January * January 1 – Unix time epoch reached at 00:00:00 UTC. * January 5 – The 7.1 Tonghai earthquake shakes Tonghai County, Yunnan province, China, with a maximum Mercalli intensity scale, Mercalli intensity of X (''Extrem ...
.


Inclusion of disabled athletes in Commonwealth Games

Athletes with a disability were then first included the
1994 Commonwealth Games The 1994 Commonwealth Games ( French: ''XVéme Jeux du Commonwealth'') were held in Victoria, British Columbia, from 18 to 28 August 1994. Ten types of sports were featured at the Victoria Games: athletics, aquatics, badminton, boxing, cycling, ...
in Victoria, British Columbia when this events was added to athletics and lawn bowls, As at
2002 Commonwealth Games The 2002 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XVII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Manchester 2002 were held in Manchester, England, from 25 July to 4 August, 2002. The 2002 Games were to be hosted in the United Kingdom to coin ...
in Manchester, England, they were included as compulsory events, making them the first fully inclusive international multi-sport games. This meant that results were included in the medal count and the athletes are full members of each country delegation. During the 2007 General Assembly of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) at Colombo,
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...
, the
International Paralympic Committee The International Paralympic Committee (IPC; german: Internationales Paralympisches Komitee) is an international non-profit organisation and the global governing body for the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Paralympic Games and fun ...
(IPC) and CGF signed a co-operative agreement to ensure a formal institutional relationship between the two bodies and secure the future participation of elite athletes with a disability (EAD) in future Commonwealth Games. Then, IPC President
Philip Craven Sir Philip Lee Craven (born 4 July 1950) is an English sports administrator, former Paralympic wheelchair basketball player, swimmer and track and field athlete. Between 2001 and 2017 he was the second president of the International Paralymp ...
said during the General Assembly: The co-operation agreement outlined the strong partnership between the IPC and the CGF. It recognised the IPC as the respective sport body and have the function to oversee the co-ordination and delivery of the Commonwealth Games EAD sports programme and committed both organisations to work together in supporting the growth of the Paralympic and Commonwealth Games Movements.


Winter Games

The Commonwealth Winter Games was a multi-sport event comprising winter sports, last held in 1966. Three editions of the Games have been staged. The Winter Games were designed as a counterbalance to the Commonwealth Games, which focuses on summer sports, to accompany the Winter Olympics and
Summer Olympic Games The Summer Olympic Games (french: link=no, Jeux olympiques d'été), also known as the Games of the Olympiad, and often referred to as the Summer Olympics, is a major international multi-sport event normally held once every four years. The inau ...
. The winter Games were founded by
T.D. Richardson Thomas Dow "Tyke" Richardson OBE (16 January 1887 – 7 January 1971) was a British competitive pair skater, author and judge. With his wife, Mildred Richardson, he represented Great Britain at the 1924 Winter Olympics, where they place ...
.Semanticus.info
T.D. Richardson
(accessed 7 July 2012)
The 1958 Commonwealth Winter Games were held in
St. Moritz St. Moritz (also german: Sankt Moritz, rm, , it, San Maurizio, french: Saint-Moritz) is a high Alpine resort town in the Engadine in Switzerland, at an elevation of about above sea level. It is Upper Engadine's major town and a municipality in ...
,
Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
and was the inaugural games for the winter edition. The 1962 Games were also held in St. Moritz, complementing the
1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games The 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Perth, Australia, from 22 November to 1 December 1962. Athletic events were held at Perry Lakes Stadium in the suburb of Floreat and swimming events at Beatty Park in North Perth. The ...
in Perth, Australia, and the 1966 event was held in St. Moritz as well, following which the idea was discontinued.


Youth Games

The Commonwealth Youth Games is an international multi-sport event organised by the Commonwealth Games Federation. The Games are held every four years with the current Commonwealth Games format. The Commonwealth Games Federation discussed the idea of a Millennium Commonwealth Youth Games in 1997. In 1998, the concept was agreed on for the purpose of providing a Commonwealth multi-sport event for young people born in the calendar year 1986 or later. The first version was held in Edinburgh, Scotland from 10 to 14 August 2000. The age limitation of the athletes is 14 to 18.


Commonwealth Games Federation

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the international organisation responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games, and is the foremost authority in matters relating to the games. The Commonwealth House in London, England hosts the headquarters of CGF. The Commonwealth House also hosts the headquarters of the Royal Commonwealth Society and the
Commonwealth Local Government Forum The Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) is a global local government organisation, bringing together local authorities, their national associations and the ministries responsible for local government in the member countries of the Commonwe ...
. The Commonwealth Games Movement is made of three major elements: * International Federations (IFs) are the governing bodies that supervise a sport at an international level. For example, the International Basketball Federation ( FIBA) is the international governing body for basketball. * Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) represent and regulate the Commonwealth Games Movement within each country and perform similar functions as the National Olympic Committees. For example, the Commonwealth Games England (CGE) is the CGA of England. There are currently 72 CGAs recognised by the CGF. * Organising Committees for the Commonwealth Games (OCCWGs) are temporary committees responsible for the organisation of each Commonwealth Games. OCCWGs are dissolved after each Games once the final report is delivered to the CGF. English is the official language of the Commonwealth. The other language used at each Commonwealth Games is the language of the host country (or languages, if a country has more than one official language apart from English). Every proclamation (such as the announcement of each country during the parade of nations in the opening ceremony) is spoken in these two (or more) languages. If the host country does this, it is their responsibility to choose the language{s) and their order.


Queen's Baton Relay

The Queen's Baton Relay is a relay around the world held prior to the beginning of the Commonwealth Games. The Baton carries a message from the Head of the Commonwealth. The Relay traditionally begins at
Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace () is a London royal residence and the administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It ...
in London as a part of the city's
Commonwealth Day Commonwealth Day (formerly Empire Day) is the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations, since 1977 often held on the second Monday in March. It is marked by an Anglican service in Westminster Abbey, normally attended by the monarch a ...
festivities. The Queen entrusts the baton to the first relay runner. At the Opening Ceremony of the Games, the final relay runner hands the baton back to the Queen or her representative, who reads the message aloud to officially open the Games. The Queen's Baton Relay is similar to the Olympic Torch Relay. The Relay was introduced at the
1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games The 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games (Welsh: Gemau Ymerodraeth Prydain a'r Gymanwlad 1958) were held in Cardiff, Wales, from 18–26 July 1958. Thirty-five nations sent a total of 1,130 athletes and 228 officials to the Cardiff Games ...
in Cardiff, Wales as the Queen's Baton Relay. Up until, and including, the
1994 Commonwealth Games The 1994 Commonwealth Games ( French: ''XVéme Jeux du Commonwealth'') were held in Victoria, British Columbia, from 18 to 28 August 1994. Ten types of sports were featured at the Victoria Games: athletics, aquatics, badminton, boxing, cycling, ...
, the Relay only went through England and the host nation. The Relay for the
1998 Commonwealth Games The 1998 Commonwealth Games ''(Malay: Sukan Komanwel 1998)'', officially known as the XVI Commonwealth Games ''(Malay: Sukan Komanwel ke-16)'', was a multi-sport event held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This edition is marked by several unprecedent ...
in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was the first to travel to other nations of the Commonwealth. The Queen's Baton Relay for the
2018 Commonwealth Games The 2018 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXI Commonwealth Games and also known as Gold Coast 2018, was an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth that were held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, bet ...
held on the Gold Coast,
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
, was the longest in Commonwealth Games history. Covering 230,000 km (150,000 miles) over 388 days, the Baton made its way through the six Commonwealth regions of Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Oceania. For the first time, the Queen's Baton was presented at the Commonwealth Youth Games during its sixth edition in 2017, which were held in
Nassau Nassau may refer to: Places Bahamas *Nassau, Bahamas, capital city of the Bahamas, on the island of New Providence Canada *Nassau District, renamed Home District, regional division in Upper Canada from 1788 to 1792 *Nassau Street (Winnipeg), ...
, Bahamas.


Ceremonies


Opening

Various elements frame the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. This ceremony takes place before the events have occurred. The ceremony typically starts with the hoisting of the host country's flag and a performance of its national anthem. The flag of the Commonwealth Games Federation, flag of the last hosting nation and the next hosting nation are also hosted during the opening ceremony. The host nation then presents artistic displays of music, singing, dance and theatre representative of its culture. The artistic presentations have grown in scale and complexity as successive hosts attempt to provide a ceremony that outlasts its predecessor's in terms of memorability. The opening ceremony of the Delhi Games reportedly cost $70 million, with much of the cost incurred in the artistic segment. After the artistic portion of the ceremony, the athletes parade into the stadium grouped by nation. The last hosting nation is traditionally the first nation to enter. Nations then enter the stadium alphabetical or continental wise with the host country's athletes being the last to enter. Speeches are given, formally opening the Games. Finally, the King's Baton is brought into the stadium and passed on until it reaches the final baton carrier, often a successful Commonwealth athlete from the host nation, who hands it over to the Head of the Commonwealth or his representative.


Closing

The closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games takes place after all sporting events have concluded. Flag-bearers from each participating country enter the stadium, followed by the athletes who enter together, without any national distinction. The president of the organising committee and the CGF president make their closing speeches and the Games are officially closed. The CGF president also speaks about the conduct of the games. The mayor of the city that organised the Games transfers the CGF flag to the president of the CGF, who then passes it on to the mayor of the city hosting the next Commonwealth Games. The next host nation then also briefly introduces itself with artistic displays of dance and theatre representative of its culture. Many great artists and singers had performed at the ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games. At the closing ceremony of every Commonwealth Games, the CGF President makes an award and presents a trophy to one athlete who has competed with particular distinction and honour both in terms of athletic performance and overall contribution to his or her team. Athletes are nominated by their Commonwealth Games Association at the end of the final day of competition and the winner is selected by a panel comprising the CGF President and representatives from each of the six Commonwealth Regions. The ' David Dixon Award' as it is called was introduced in
Manchester 2002 The 2002 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XVII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Manchester 2002 were held in Manchester, England, from 25 July to 4 August, 2002. The 2002 Games were to be hosted in the United Kingdom to coin ...
, after the late David Dixon, former Honorary Secretary of the CGF, in honour of his monumental contribution to Commonwealth sport for many years.


Medal presentation

A medal ceremony is held after each event is concluded. The winner, second and third-place competitors or teams stand on top of a three-tiered rostrum to be awarded their respective medals. After the medals are given out by a CGF member, the national flags of the three medallists are raised while the national anthem of the gold medallist's country plays. Volunteering citizens of the host country also act as hosts during the medal ceremonies, as they aid the officials who present the medals and act as flag-bearers.


Anthems

" God Save the King" is an official or national anthem of multiple Commonwealth countries and dependent territories. As a result, and due to the countries of the United Kingdom competing individually, its use is prohibited during official events, medal ceremonies or before matches in team events. With the revision of this rule made before the 2010 Games, some national anthems used were changed and in some cases they differ from a currently-eligible country's national or official anthem(s): {, class="wikitable" , - !Country ! Anthem used at the Commonwealth Games !National Anthem(s)/Official Anthem(s) , - , , " God Bless Anguilla" , rowspan="4", " God Save the King" , - , , "
Hail to Bermuda "Hail to Bermuda", also known as "This Island's Mine", is the territorial anthem of Bermuda, written and composed by Bette Johns. The official anthem is the national anthem of the United Kingdom, "God Save the King", as the island is a British ...
" , - , , "
Oh, Beautiful Virgin Islands "Oh, Beautiful Virgin Islands" is the official territorial song of the British Virgin Islands (often called the BVI). The song was composed by brother and sister team Kareem Nelson Hull and Ayana Hull, both Virgin Islanders. It was adopted as t ...
" , - , , " Beloved Isle Cayman" , - , , " Land of Hope and Glory" (until 2010)
" Jerusalem" (since 2010) , ''None''; "God Save the King" as part of the United Kingdom , - , , "
Song of the Falklands "Song of the Falklands" is the unofficial anthem of the Falkland Islands ("God Save the King" being the official). It was written in the 1930s by Christopher Lanham, a Hampshire schoolteacher, while working on West Falkland. Lyrics I In my h ...
" , rowspan="5", "God Save the King" , - , , " Gibraltar Anthem" , - , , " Sarnia Cherie" , - , , " Island Home" , - , , " Motherland" , - , , " God Defend New Zealand" , "God Defend New Zealand" (since 1976)
"God Save the King" , - , , " Ko e Iki he Lagi (Lord in Heaven, Thou art merciful)" , "God Defend New Zealand" (since 1976)
"God Save the King" , - , , "
Come Ye Blessed "Come Ye Blessed" is one of the two territorial songs of the British overseas territory of the Pitcairn Islands, the other being " We from Pitcairn Island". "Come Ye Blessed" is also the official territorial song of the Australian territory of ...
" , " Advance Australia Fair" , - , , " Londonderry Air" , ''None''; "God Save the King" as part of the United Kingdom , - , , "
My Saint Helena Island My Saint Helena Island is the unofficial regional anthem of Saint Helena. It was written by Dave Mitchell in 1975, after persuasion from the inhabitants of Saint Helena. As a British Overseas Territory, the national anthem is "God Save the King ...
" , "God Save the King" , - , , " Scotland the Brave" (until 2010)
" Flower of Scotland" (since 2010) , ''None''; "God Save the King" as part of the United Kingdom , - , , "
This Land of Ours "This Land of Ours" is the local national song of the Turks and Caicos Islands, composed by Dr. Rev. Conrad Howell (December 12, 1962 – September 11, 2015). As a British Overseas Territory, the official national anthem is "God Save the King ...
" , "God Save the King" , - , , " Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of my Fathers)" , "God Save the King" as part of the United Kingdom/
"Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of my Fathers)"


List of Commonwealth Games


Editions

{, class="wikitable sortable" width= align="center" , +Overview of Commonwealth Games ! rowspan=1 style="background:#2874A6; color:white;", Year ! rowspan=1 style="background:#2874A6; color:white;", Edition ! rowspan=1 style="background:#2874A6; color:white;", Host city ! rowspan=1 style="background:#2874A6; color:white;", Host Association ! rowspan=1 style="background:#2874A6; color:white;", Opened by ! rowspan=1 style="background:#2874A6; color:white;", Sports ! rowspan=1 style="background:#2874A6; color:white;", Events ! rowspan=1 style="background:#2874A6; color:white;", Associations ! rowspan=1 style="background:#2874A6; color:white;", Start date ! rowspan=1 style="background:#2874A6; color:white;", End date ! rowspan=1 style="background:#2874A6; color:white;", Competitors ! rowspan=1 style="background:#2874A6; color:white;", Top Association ! rowspan=1 style="background:#2874A6; color:white;", Ref , - , align="center", 1911 , align=center,
The dash is a punctuation mark consisting of a long horizontal line. It is similar in appearance to the hyphen but is longer and sometimes higher from the baseline. The most common versions are the endash , generally longer than the hyphen b ...
, align=left, London , align=left, United Kingdom , King George V , align="center", 4, , align="center", 9, , align="center", 4 , align=center, 12 May , align=center, 1 June, , align="center", Unknown , align=left, , , - , align=center, 1930 , align="center", , align=left, Hamilton , align=left, , Viscount Willingdon , align="center", 6, , align="center", 59, , align="center", 11 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 400 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align="center", 1934 , align="center", , align="left", London , align="left", , King George V , align="center", 6, , align="center", 68, , align="center", 16 , align="center", , align="center", , , align="center", 500 , align="left", , align="center

, - , align="center", 1938 , align="center", , align="left",
Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...
, align="left", , John Loder, 2nd Baron Wakehurst, Lord Wakehurst , align="center", 7, , align="center", 71, , align="center", 15 , align="center", , align="center", , , align="center", 464 , align="left", , align="center

, - , align="center", 1942 , align="center", – , align="left", Montreal , align="left", , colspan="9" rowspan="2" align="center", ''Cancelled due to World War IIThe Complete Book of The Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast Edition) by Graham Groom (2017)'' , - , align="center", 1946 , align=center, – , align=left, Cardiff , align=left, , - , align=center, 1950 , align="center", , align=left, Auckland , align=left, , Bernard Freyberg, Sir Bernard Freyberg , align="center", 9, , align="center", 88, , align="center", 12 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 590 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 1954 , align="center", , align=left, Vancouver , align=left, , Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis, Earl Alexander of Tunis , align="center", 9, , align="center", 91, , align="center", 24 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 662 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 1958 , align="center", , align=left, Cardiff , align=left, , rowspan="5", Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Philip, Duke of Edinburgh , align="center", 9, , align="center", 94, , align="center", 36 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 1122 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 1962 , align="center", , align=left, Perth , align=left, , align="center", 9, , align="center", 104, , align="center", 35 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 863 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 1966 , align="center", , align=left,
Kingston Kingston may refer to: Places * List of places called Kingston, including the five most populated: ** Kingston, Jamaica ** Kingston upon Hull, England ** City of Kingston, Victoria, Australia ** Kingston, Ontario, Canada ** Kingston upon Thames, ...
, align=left, , align="center", 9, , align="center", 110, , align="center", 34 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 1050 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 1970 , align="center", , align=left, Edinburgh , align=left, , align="center", 9, , align="center", 121, , align="center", 42 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 1383 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 1974 , align="center", , align=left, Christchurch , align=left, , align="center", 9, , align="center", 121, , align="center", 38 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 1276 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 1978 , align="center", , align=left, Edmonton , align=left, , Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth II , align="center", 10, , align="center", 128, , align="center", 46 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 1474 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 1982 , align="center", , align=left, Brisbane , align=left, , Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Philip, Duke of Edinburgh , align="center", 10, , align="center", 142, , align="center", 46 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 1583 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 1986 , align="center", , align=left, Edinburgh , align=left, , Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth II , align="center", 10, , align="center", 163, , align="center", 26 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 1662 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 1990 , align="center", , align=left, Auckland , align=left, , Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward , align="center", 10, , align="center", 204, , align="center", 55 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 2073 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 1994 , align="center", , align=left, Victoria , align=left, , Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth II , align="center", 10, , align="center", 217, , align="center", 63 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 2557 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 1998 , align="center", , align=left, Kuala Lumpur , align=left, , Tuanku Jaafar , align="center", 15, , align="center", 213, , align="center", 70 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 3633 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 2002 , align="center", , align=left, Manchester , align=left, , rowspan="2", Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth II , align="center", 17, , align="center", 281, , align="center", 72 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 3679 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 2006 , align="center", , align=left, Melbourne , align=left, , align="center", 16, , align="center", 245, , align="center", 71 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 4049 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 2010 , align="center", , align=left, Delhi , align=left, , Pratibha Patil and
Charles, Prince of Wales , align="center", 17, , align="center", 272, , align="center", 71 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 4352 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 2014 , align="center", , align=left, Glasgow , align=left, , Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth II , align="center", 17, , align="center", 261, , align="center", 71 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 4947 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 2018 , align="center", , align=left, Gold Coast , align=left, , align=left rowspan="2", Charles, Prince of Wales , align="center", 19, , align="center", 275, , align="center", 71 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 4426 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 2022 , align="center", , align=left, Birmingham , align=left, , align="center", 20, , align="center", 280, , align="center", 72 , align=center, , align=center, , , align="center", 5054 , align=left, , align=cente

, - , align=center, 2026 , align="center", , align="left", Glasgow , align=left, , align="align=left", Charles III, King Charles III (expected) , align="center", 10 (expected) , align="center", TBC , align="center", 75
(expected) , align=center, , align=center, , align=center, TBC , align="center", TBC , align=left, TBC , - , align=center, 2030 , align=center, XXIV , colspan="10" align=center, '' TBD '' , , - , align=center, 2034 , align=center,
XXV XXV may refer to: * 25 (number) 25 (twenty-five) is the natural number following 24 and preceding 26. In mathematics It is a square number, being 52 = 5 × 5. It is one of two two-digit numbers whose square and higher powers of the n ...
, colspan="10" align=center, '' TBD '' ,


Medal table

*Note : Nations in ''italics'' no longer participate at the Commonwealth Games. :''Updated after
2022 Commonwealth Games The 2022 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Birmingham 2022, was an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth of Nations that took place in Birmingham, England bet ...
''. * Totals for Ghana include all medals won as * Totals for Zimbabwe include all medals won as * Totals for Zambia include all medals won as * Totals for
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...
include all medals won as
* Totals for
Guyana Guyana ( or ), officially the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, is a country on the northern mainland of South America. Guyana is an indigenous word which means "Land of Many Waters". The capital city is Georgetown. Guyana is bordered by the ...
include all medals won as


Commonwealth sports

Unlike other sporting events, the Commonwealth Games have a flexible sporting programme that respects the infrastructure and demands of the host city. This is also reflected in its holding dates, which may vary according to the weather conditions of each host city. Therefore, the programme for each edition varies. Between 1930 and 1994, only individual events were part of the programme and it was only in 1998 that authorisation was given for the addition of team sports. It is common for each edition since then to have a list of seven to ten mandatory sports that must be played in this edition and must be approved 4 years in advance. Thus, the minimum number of sports per edition is 10 and the maximum is of 17. However, local demands can also increase the number of sports contested. Notable cases are freestyle wrestling in Delhi 2010 and beach volleyball in Gold Coast 2018. Special exceptions can also be made, such as the one in the last edition held in Birmingham, England, in which 3 extra sports were added to the programme. The current rules also determine gender parity, whereby men and women have an equal (or broadly equal) share of events. There are a total of 23 sports (with three multi-disciplinary sports) and a ten para-sports which are approved by the Commonwealth Games Federation. {, cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="margin:1em auto;" , - , valign="top", {, class="wikitable sortable" , - !Sport !Type !Years , - ,
Archery Archery is the sport, practice, or skill of using a bow to shoot arrows.Paterson ''Encyclopaedia of Archery'' p. 17 The word comes from the Latin ''arcus'', meaning bow. Historically, archery has been used for hunting and combat. In m ...
, Core , 1982, 2010 , - , Athletics , Core , 1930–present , - , Para Athletics , Core , 1994, 2002–present , - , Badminton , Core , 1966–2022 , - , Basketball , , 2006, 2018 , - ,
Basketball 3x3 3x3 basketball (pronounced ''three-ex-three'') is a variation of basketball played three-a-side, with one backboard and in a half-court setup. According to an ESSEC Business School study commissioned by the International Olympic Committee, 3x ...
, Core , 2022–present , - , Boxing , Core , 1930–present , - ,
Cricket Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by striki ...
, Core , 1998, 2022 , - , Cycling (Mountain Bike) , Core , 2002–2006, 2014–present , - , Cycling (Para Track) , Core , 2014–present , - , Cycling (Road) , Core , 1938–present , - , Cycling (Track) , Core , 1934–present , - , Diving , , 1930–2022 , - , Hockey , Core , 1998–2022 , - , Gymnastics (Artistic) , Core , 1978, 1990–present , - , Gymnastics (Rhythmic) , Optional , 1978, 1990–1998, 2006–present , - , Judo , Core , 1990, 2002, 2014 (Optional), 2022-present , - , Lawn bowls , Core , 1930–1962, 1970–present , - , valign="top", {, class="wikitable sortable" , - !Sport !Type !Years , - , Para lawn bowls , Core , 1994, 2002, 2014–present , - , Netball (Women) , Core , 1998–present , - , Powerlifting , Core , 2002–present , - , Rugby sevens , Core , 1998–2022 , - , Shooting , Optional , 1966, 1974–2018 , - , Squash , Core , 1998–2022 , - , Swimming , Core , 1930–present , - , Para swimming , Core , 2002–present , - , Table tennis , Core , 2002–2022 , - , Para table tennis , Optional , 2002–2022 , - , Triathlon , Core , 2002–2006, 2014—2022 , - , Volleyball (beach) , Optional , 2018–2022 , - , Weightlifting , Core , 1950–present , - , Wrestling (Freestyle) , Core , 1930–1986, 1994, 2002, 2010–2022 In 2015, the Commonwealth Games Federation agreed large changes to the programme which increased the number of core sports, while removing a number of optionals, those removed are listed below. {, cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="margin:1em auto;" , - , valign="top", {, class="wikitable sortable" , - !Sport !Type !Years , - ,
Canoeing Canoeing is an activity which involves paddling a canoe with a single-bladed paddle. Common meanings of the term are limited to when the canoeing is the central purpose of the activity. Broader meanings include when it is combined with other acti ...
, Optional , Never , - , Rowing , Optional , 1930, 1938–1962,1986 , - , Sailing , Optional , Never , - , Softball , Optional , Never , - , Synchronised swimming , Optional , Core between 1986 and 2006 , - , valign="top", {, class="wikitable sortable" , - !Sport !Type !Years , - , Taekwondo , Optional , Never , - , Tennis , Optional , 2010 , - , Ten-pin bowling , Optional , 1998 , - , Wrestling (Greco-Roman) , Optional , 2010 Sports such as the following are sports which have been analysed by the Commonwealth Games Federation but which are deemed to need expansion in areas such as participation levels within the Commonwealth both at a national (International Federation) and grassroots athletics level, Marketability, Television Rights, Equity, and Hosting Expenses, per Regulation 6 of the Commonwealth Games Constitution;
. Commonwealth Games Federation. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
host nations may not pick these sports for their program until the Federation's requirements are fulfilled.Sports Programme
. Commonwealth Games Federation. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
{, cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="margin:1em auto;" , - , valign="top", {, class="wikitable sortable" , - !Sport !Type !Years , - , Billiards , Recognised , Never , - , Fencing , Recognised , 1950–1970 , - , Association Football , Recognised , Never , - , Golf , Recognised , 2026 , - ,
Handball Handball (also known as team handball, European handball or Olympic handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of throwing it into the g ...
, Recognised , Never , - , valign="top", {, class="wikitable sortable" , - !Sport !Type !Years , - ,
Life saving Lifesaving is the act involving rescue, resuscitation and first aid. It often refers to water safety and aquatic rescue; however, it could include ice rescue, flood and river rescue, swimming pool rescue and other emergency medical services. ...
, Recognised , Never , - , Rugby league , Recognised , Never , - , Volleyball (indoor) , Recognised , Never , - , Water Polo , Recognised , 1950 , -


Participation

Only six teams have attended every Commonwealth Games: Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland, and Wales. Australia has been the highest scoring team for thirteen games, England for seven, and Canada for one. {, class="wikitable collapsible collapsed plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%; margin:1em auto;" , - ! colspan=24, Table of Team Participation by Commonwealth Games Edition , - ! rowspan="6" style="background:#cedaf2;", Team !Edition , I , II ,
III III or iii may refer to: Companies * Information International, Inc., a computer technology company * Innovative Interfaces, Inc., a library-software company * 3i, formerly Investors in Industry, a British investment company Other uses * Ins ...
, IV , V , VI ,
VII VII or vii may refer to: the Roman numeral 7 Art and entertainment * The Vii, a video game console * vii, leading-tone triad, see diminished triad * ''VII'' (Blitzen Trapper album) * ''VII'' (Just-Ice album) * ''VII'' (Teyana Taylor album) * ...
,
VIII 8 (eight) is the natural number following 7 and preceding 9. In mathematics 8 is: * a composite number, its proper divisors being , , and . It is twice 4 or four times 2. * a power of two, being 2 (two cubed), and is the first number of t ...
, IX , X , XI ,
XII XII may refer to: * 12 (number) or XII in Roman numerals * 12th century or XII in Roman numerals * ''XII'' (album), a 2012 album by American country music singer Neal McCoy * ''XII'' (single), a 2019 single album by K-pop singer Chungha, featuri ...
, XIII , XIV , XV ,
XVI 16 (sixteen) is the natural number following 15 and preceding 17. 16 is a composite number, and a square number, being 42 = 4 × 4. It is the smallest number with exactly five divisors, its proper divisors being , , and . In English speech, ...
, XVII ,
XVIII 18 (eighteen) is the natural number following 17 and preceding 19. In mathematics * Eighteen is a composite number, its divisors being 1, 2, 3, 6 and 9. Three of these divisors (3, 6 and 9) add up to 18, hence 18 is a semiperfect number. ...
, XIX , XX ,
XXI 21 (twenty-one) is the natural number following 20 and preceding 22. The current century is the 21st century AD, under the Gregorian calendar. In mathematics 21 is: * a composite number, its proper divisors being 1, 3 and 7, and a de ...
,
XXII 22 (twenty-two) is the natural number following 21 and preceding 23. In mathematics 22 is a palindromic number and the eighth semiprime; its proper divisors are 1, 2, and 11. It is the second Smith number, the second Erdős–Woods numb ...
, - ! Year , 1930 , 1934 , 1938 , 1950 , 1954 , 1958 , 1962 , 1966 , 1970 , 1974 , 1978 , 1982 , 1986 , 1990 , 1994 , 1998 , 2002 , 2006 , 2010 , 2014 , 2018 , 2022 , - ! Host Flag , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - ! Host City , Hamilton , London ,
Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...
, Auckland , Vancouver , Cardiff , Perth ,
Kingston Kingston may refer to: Places * List of places called Kingston, including the five most populated: ** Kingston, Jamaica ** Kingston upon Hull, England ** City of Kingston, Victoria, Australia ** Kingston, Ontario, Canada ** Kingston upon Thames, ...
, Edinburgh , Christchurch , Edmonton , Brisbane , Edinburgh , Auckland , Victoria , Kuala Lumpur , Manchester , Melbourne , Delhi , Glasgow , Gold Coast , Birmingham , - ! Participation \\ Host nation , Canada , England , Australia , New Zealand , Canada , Wales , Australia , Jamaica , Scotland , New Zealand , Canada , Australia , Scotland , New Zealand , Canada , Malaysia , England , Australia , India , Scotland , Australia , England , - ! colspan=23, , - , align=left, , , 1962, , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1998–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1966–1970, 1978, 1994–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:pink;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1930–, , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1954–1970, 1978–1982, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1978, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1954–1982, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1978, 1994–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1930–1938, 1954–1982, 1990–, , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1974, 1982–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1930–1938, 1954–1962, , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1962–1966, , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1998–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1930–, , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1978–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1938–1950, 1958–1970, , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1974–1978, 1986–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1978–1982, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1958–1962, 1970, 1994–, , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , style="background:pink;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1930–, , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 2022–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1982–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1938, 1954–1986, 1998–2006, 2014–, , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1970–1982, 1990–2010, 2018–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1958–1982, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1958–, , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1954, , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1970–1982, 1998–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1970–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1966–1970, 1978–1982, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1934, 1954–1962, 1970–1994, , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1934–1938, 1954–1958, 1966–1982, 1990–, , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, Ireland, , 1930, , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1958–, , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1934, 1954–1982, 1990–, , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1958–, , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1954–1982, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1998–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1974–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1970–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1950, 1958–1962, , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1966–1982, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1986–2014, 2022–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1958–1962, 1970, 1982–, , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1958, 1966–1982, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1994–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1998–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1994–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1930–1934, , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1930–, , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1950–1958, 1966–1974, 1982, 1990–1994, 2002–, , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 2002–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1986–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left,
North Borneo North Borneo (usually known as British North Borneo, also known as the State of North Borneo) was a British Protectorate, British protectorate in the northern part of the island of Borneo, which is present day Sabah. The territory of North Borneo ...
, , 1958–1962, , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1934–1938, 1954–, , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1954–1958, , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1954–1970, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1962–1982, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1962, , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 2010–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1978, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1982, 1998–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1962, 1970, 1978, 1994–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:pink;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1958, 1966–1978, 1994–, , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:pink;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1998–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, Sarawak, , 1958–1962, , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1930–, , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1958, 1966–1970, 1978, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1958–, , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1982, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1930–1958, 1994–, , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1966, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1934–1958, , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1974–1982, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1970–2018, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , - , align=left, , , 1962, , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1966–1982, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1974, 1982, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1934–1982, 1990–, , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1978, 1998–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1998–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1954–1974, 1982, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1982–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1930–, , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1974–1994, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , align=left, , , 1970–1982, 1990–, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , - , align=left, , , 1982, 1990–2002, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:pink;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgreen;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , , style="background:lightgrey;", , - , colspan=25 style="text-align:center, Legend , - , colspan=25 style="text-align:center, ---- {, cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="margin:1em auto;" , - , valign="top", {, class="wikitable sortable" , - ! Nation, , Years of participation , - , , , 1962 , - , , , 1998– , - , , , 1911 , - , , , 1966–1970, 1978, 1994– , - , , , 1930– , - , , , 1954–1970, 1978–1982, 1990– , - , , , 1978, 1990– , - , , , 1954–1982, 1990– , - , , , 1978, 1994– , - , , , 1930–1938, 1954–1982, 1990– , - , , , 1974, 1982– , - , , , 1930–1938, 1954–1962 , - , , , 1962–1966 , - , , , 1990– , - , , , 1990– , - , , , 1998– , - , , , 1911, 1930– , - , , , 1978– , - , , , 1938–1950, 1958–1970 , - , , , 1974–1978, 1986– , - , , , 1978–1982, 1990– , - , , , 1958–1962, 1970, 1994– , - , , , 1930– , - , , , 2022– , - , , , 1982– , - , , , 1938, 1954–1986, 1998–2006, 2014– , - , , , 1970–1982, 1990–2010, 2018– , - , , , 1958–1982, 1990– , - , , , 1958– , - , , , 1954 , - , , , 1970–1982, 1998– , - , , , 1970– , - , , , 1966–1970, 1978–1982, 1990– , - , , , 1934, 1954–1962, 1970–1994 , - , , , 1934–1938, 1954–1958, 1966–1982, 1990– , - , Ireland, , 1930 , - , , , 1934 , - , , , 1958– , - , , , 1934, 1954–1982, 1990– , - , , , 1958– , - , , , 1954–1982, 1990– , - , , , 1998– , - , , , 1974– , - , , , 1970– , - , , , 1950, 1958–1962 , - , , , 1966–1982, 1990– , - , , , 1986–2014, 2022– , - , , , 1958–1962, 1970, 1982– , valign="top", {, class="wikitable sortable" , - ! Nation, , Years of participation , - , , , 1958–1982, 1990– , - , , , 1994– , - , , , 1998– , - , , , 1994– , - , , , 1990– , - , , , 1930–1934 , - , , , 1930– , - , , , 1950–1958, 1966–1974, 1982, 1990–1994, 2002– , - , , , 2002– , - , , , 1986– , - ,
North Borneo North Borneo (usually known as British North Borneo, also known as the State of North Borneo) was a British Protectorate, British protectorate in the northern part of the island of Borneo, which is present day Sabah. The territory of North Borneo ...
, , 1958–1962 , - , , , 1934–1938, 1954– , - , , , 1954–1958 , - , , , 1954–1970, 1990– , - , , , 1962–1982, 1990– , - , , , 1962 , - , , , 2010– , - , , , 1978 , - , , , 1982, 1998– , - , , , 1990– , - , , , 1962, 1970, 1978, 1994– , - , , , 1958, 1966–1978, 1994– , - , , , 1998– , - , Sarawak, , 1958–1962 , - , , , 1930– , - , , , 1990– , - , , , 1958, 1966–1970, 1978, 1990– , - , , , 1958– , - , , , 1982, 1990– , - , , , 1911–1958, 1994– , - , , , 1966 , - , , , 1934–1958 , - , , , 1974–1982, 1990– , - , , , 1970–2018 , - , , , 1962 , - , , , 1966–1982, 1990– , - , , , 1974, 1982, 1990– , - , , , 1934–1982, 1990– , - , , , 1978, 1998– , - , , , 2002– , - , , , 1954–1974, 1982, 1990– , - , , , 1911 , - , , , 1982– , - , , , 1930– , - , , , 1974–1994 , - , , , 1970–1982, 1990– , - , , , 1982, 1990–2002


Commonwealth nations yet to send teams

Very few Commonwealth nations and dependencies have yet to take part: * Gabon and Togo, the most recent members to join the Commonwealth in 2022, became part of the Commonwealth Games Federation in 2023 and are expected to make their debut in the 2026 edition. * Tokelau, a dependency of New Zealand, was expected to take part for the first time at the 2010 Games in Delhi but did not do so. In 2018, Tokelau was noted to be ineligible for the Commonwealth Games until it became affiliated to at least five international sport federations. * Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, both external territories of Australia like
Norfolk Island Norfolk Island (, ; Norfuk: ''Norf'k Ailen'') is an external territory of Australia located in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and New Caledonia, directly east of Australia's Evans Head and about from Lord Howe Island. Together with ...
, have not yet sent teams of their own. * The
Pitcairn Islands The Pitcairn Islands (; Pitkern: '), officially the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, is a group of four volcanic islands in the southern Pacific Ocean that form the sole British Overseas Territory in the Pacific Ocean. The four isl ...
, a
British Overseas Territory The British Overseas Territories (BOTs), also known as the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs), are fourteen dependent territory, territories with a constitutional and historical link with the United Kingdom. They are the last remna ...
, does not compete due to its small population (around 50 people). Other inhabited territories and autonomous regions within the Commonwealth, such as
Ascension Island Ascension Island is an isolated volcanic island, 7°56′ south of the Equator in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is about from the coast of Africa and from the coast of South America. It is governed as part of the British Overseas Territory o ...
and Tristan da Cunha (parts of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha), Nevis (a federal entity of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis),
Rodrigues Rodrigues (french: Île Rodrigues, link=yes ; Creole: ) is a autonomous outer island of the Republic of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, about east of Mauritius. It is part of the Mascarene Islands, which include Mauritius and Réunion. Rodr ...
(an outer island of Mauritius), and Zanzibar (a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania), are not considered to be separate associated or overseas territories by the Commonwealth and so are unlikely to be eligible.


Rejected participants

Campaigners from the
English county The counties of England are areas used for different purposes, which include administrative, geographical, cultural and political demarcation. The term "county" is defined in several ways and can apply to similar or the same areas used by each ...
of Cornwall asked the Commonwealth Games Federation to allow Cornwall to participate independently in the 2006 Games, but were rejected by the CGF, which stated that "Cornwall is no more than an English county" and advised Cornwall athletes to compete on the England team. Cornwall political party Mebyon Kernow unsuccessfully called for a Cornwall team at the 2022 Games. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus applied to take part in the 2006 Games, but was rejected due to a lack of international recognition.


Controversies


Host city contract

The
1934 British Empire Games The 1934 British Empire Games were the second edition of what is now known as the Commonwealth Games, held in England, from 4–11 August 1934. The host city was London, with the main venue at Wembley Park, although the track cycling events wer ...
, originally awarded in 1930 to Johannesburg, were moved to London after South Africa's pre- apartheid government refused to allow participants of colour. The
2022 Commonwealth Games The 2022 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Birmingham 2022, was an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth of Nations that took place in Birmingham, England bet ...
were originally awarded to Durban on 2 September 2015, at the CGF General Assembly in Auckland. It was reported in February 2017 that Durban may be unable to host the games due to financial constraints. On 13 March 2017, the CGF stripped Durban of their rights to host and reopened the bidding process for the 2022 games. Many cities from Australia, Canada, England and Malaysia expressed interest to host the games. However, the CGF received only one official bid and that was from Birmingham, England. On 21 December 2017, Birmingham was awarded for the 2022 Games as Durban's replacement host. The state of Victoria, Australia was selected to host the
2026 Commonwealth Games The 2026 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXIII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Victoria 2026, is a multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth scheduled to take place across four regional sites in the Australian state ...
. On 18 July 2023, the Premier of Victoria Dan Andrews announced the cancellation of the event in Victoria. Premier Andrews cited a significant increase in forecast cost for the reason suggesting the initial estimate of A$2.6 billion was likely to be closer to A$6–7 billion. On 18 July 2023, the Victorian state government announced it had cancelled its plans to host the games, citing an escalation in its cost projections relative to initial estimations. With no host city, there was a possibility that the games would be postponed to 2027 or cancelled. However, on 17 September 2024, it was announced that the Scottish Government had agreed to host the 2026 games in Glasgow.


Boycotts

Much like the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games have also experienced boycotts: Nigeria boycotted the
1978 Commonwealth Games The 1978 Commonwealth Games were held in Edmonton, Alberta from 3 to 12 August 1978, two years after the 1976 Summer Olympics were held in Montreal, Quebec. They were boycotted by Nigeria, in protest at New Zealand's sporting contacts with apar ...
at Edmonton in protest of New Zealand's sporting contacts with apartheid-era South Africa. Uganda also stayed away, in protest of alleged Canadian hostility towards the government of Idi Amin. During the
1986 Commonwealth Games The 1986 Commonwealth Games ( gd, Geamannan a 'Cho-fhlaitheis 1986) were held in Edinburgh, Scotland, between 24 July and 2 August 1986. They were the second Games to be held in Edinburgh. Thirty two of the eligible fifty nine countries (largel ...
at Edinburgh, a majority of the Commonwealth nations staged a boycott, so that the Games appeared to be a whites-only event. Thirty two of the eligible fifty nine countries—largely African, Asian and Caribbean states—stayed away because of the Thatcher government's policy of keeping Britain's sporting links with apartheid South Africa in preference to participating in the general sporting boycott of that country. Consequently, Edinburgh 1986 witnessed the lowest number of athletes since Auckland 1950. The boycotting nations were
Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda (, ) is a sovereign country in the West Indies. It lies at the juncture of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the Leeward Islands part of the Lesser Antilles, at 17°N latitude. The country consists of two maj ...
, Barbados, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Belize, Cyprus,
Dominica Dominica ( or ; Kalinago: ; french: Dominique; Dominican Creole French: ), officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island country in the Caribbean. The capital, Roseau, is located on the western side of the island. It is geographically ...
,
Gambia The Gambia,, ff, Gammbi, ar, غامبيا officially the Republic of The Gambia, is a country in West Africa. It is the smallest country within mainland AfricaHoare, Ben. (2002) ''The Kingfisher A-Z Encyclopedia'', Kingfisher Publicatio ...
, Ghana,
Guyana Guyana ( or ), officially the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, is a country on the northern mainland of South America. Guyana is an indigenous word which means "Land of Many Waters". The capital city is Georgetown. Guyana is bordered by the ...
,
Grenada Grenada ( ; Grenadian Creole French: ) is an island country in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea at the southern end of the Grenadines island chain. Grenada consists of the island of Grenada itself, two smaller islands, Carriacou and Pe ...
, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands,
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...
,
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines () is an island country in the Caribbean. It is located in the southeast Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, which lie in the West Indies at the southern end of the eastern border of the Caribbean Sea wh ...
, Sierra Leone,
St. Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis (), officially the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, is an island country and microstate consisting of the two islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, both located in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands chain of ...
, St. Lucia, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, Tanzania, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Bermuda was a particularly late withdrawal, as its athletes appeared in the opening ceremony and in the opening day of competition before the Bermuda Olympic Association decided to formally withdraw.


Protests

The
1982 Commonwealth Games The 1982 Commonwealth Games were held in Brisbane, Australia, from 30 September to 9 October 1982. The Opening Ceremony was held at the QEII Stadium (named after Elizabeth II), in the Brisbane suburb of Nathan. The QEII Stadium was also the a ...
in Brisbane took place amid mass protests for Australian Aboriginal rights. The controversial Joh Bjelke-Petersen state government had been repeatedly been challenged by the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties over the restrictions it placed on freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom to protest. The Government of Queensland did not recognise Aboriginal land rights. Queensland also placed severe legal restrictions on Aboriginal people through the "Aboriginal Act 1971". Aboriginal activists including Gary Foley planned mass demonstrations in Brisbane during the week of the games, dubbed the "Stolenwealth Games". In response, Queensland passed "The Commonwealth Games Act 1982" to restrict protests in or near the event. When Aboriginal activists and their supporters marched anyway, hundreds were arrested. The protests were recorded in the documentary "Guniwaya Ngigu". Further "Stolenwealth Games" protests took place during the
2006 Commonwealth Games The 2006 Commonwealth Games, officially the XVIII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Melbourne 2006 (Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm 2006'' or ''Naarm 2006''), was an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth held ...
in Melbourne and
2018 Commonwealth Games The 2018 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXI Commonwealth Games and also known as Gold Coast 2018, was an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth that were held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, bet ...
on the Gold Coast.


Financial implications

The estimated cost of the
2010 Commonwealth Games The 2010 Commonwealth Games (Hindi: 2010 राष्ट्रमण्डल खेल), officially known as the XIX Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Delhi 2010, was an international multi-sport event that was held in Delhi, India, f ...
in Delhi was US$11 billion, according to '' Business Today'' magazine. The initial total budget estimated by the Indian Olympic Association in 2003 was US$250 million. In 2010, however, the official total budget soon escalated to an estimated US$1.8 billion, a figure which excluded non-sports-related infrastructure development. The 2010 Commonwealth Games is reportedly the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever. An analysis conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers on the
2002 File:2002 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The 2002 Winter Olympics are held in Salt Lake City; Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and her daughter Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon die; East Timor gains East Timor independence, indepe ...
,
2006 File:2006 Events Collage V1.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2006 Winter Olympics open in Turin; Twitter is founded and launched by Jack Dorsey; The Nintendo Wii is released; Montenegro 2006 Montenegrin independence referendum, votes to declare ...
,
2014 File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...
and
2018 File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...
Commonwealth Games found that each dollar spent by governments on operating costs, games venues and athletes' villages generated US$2 for the host city or state economies, with an average of more than 18,000 jobs generated by each of the events. Additionally, all four cities enjoyed long-term improvements to transport or other infrastructure through hosting the Games, while some also benefited from the revival of struggling precincts. An analysis conducted by Ernst & Young found that the
2018 Commonwealth Games The 2018 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXI Commonwealth Games and also known as Gold Coast 2018, was an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth that were held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, bet ...
generated an estimated economic impact of $2.5 billion, while the venues constructed and upgraded for the Games generated over $60 million in economic benefit annually to the Gold Coast, with the success of the 2018 Commonwealth Games credited with helping Brisbane to secure hosting rights for the
2032 Summer Olympics The 2032 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXV Olympiad and also known as Brisbane 2032, will be an international multi-sport event A multi-sport event is an organized sporting event, often held over multiple days, featu ...
.


Notable competitors

Lawn bowler Willie Wood from Scotland was the first competitor to have competed in seven Commonwealth Games, from 1974 to 2002, a record equalled in 2014 by Isle of Man cyclist
Andrew Roche Andrew Roche (born 22 November 1971) is a Manx cyclist. He won the Rás Tailteann in 1997, and has competed at seven Commonwealth Games. Early life Roche grew up in Ramsey, Isle of Man. Career Roche began cycling competitively in 1984, aged ...
. They have both been surpassed by David Calvert of Northern Ireland who in 2018 attended his 11th games. Sitiveni Rabuka was a Prime Minister of
Fiji Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...
. Beforehand he represented Fiji in shot put, hammer throw, discus and the decathlon at the 1974
British Commonwealth Games The Commonwealth Games, often referred to as the Friendly Games or simply the Comm Games, are a quadrennial international multi-sport event among athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930, and, with the exce ...
held in Christchurch, New Zealand. Greg Yelavich, a sports shooter from New Zealand, has won 12 medals in seven games from 1986 to 2010. Lawn bowler Robert Weale has represented Wales in 8 Commonwealth Games, 1986–2014, winning 2 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze. Nauruan weightlifter Marcus Stephen won twelve medals at the Games between 1990 and 2002, of which seven gold, and was elected President of Nauru in 2007. His performance has helped place Nauru (the smallest independent state in the Commonwealth, at and with a population of fewer than 9,400 in 2011) in twenty-second place on the all-time Commonwealth Games medal table. Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe has won 10 Commonwealth Games gold medals and 1 silver medal. At the
1998 Commonwealth Games The 1998 Commonwealth Games ''(Malay: Sukan Komanwel 1998)'', officially known as the XVI Commonwealth Games ''(Malay: Sukan Komanwel ke-16)'', was a multi-sport event held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This edition is marked by several unprecedent ...
in Kuala Lumpur, he won 4 gold medals. At the
2002 Commonwealth Games The 2002 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XVII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Manchester 2002 were held in Manchester, England, from 25 July to 4 August, 2002. The 2002 Games were to be hosted in the United Kingdom to coin ...
in Manchester, he won 6 gold medals and 1 silver medal. Chad le Clos, South Africa's most decorated swimmer, has won 18 medals from four Commonwealth Games (2010, 2014, 2018 & 2022), seven of which are gold. At the
2014 Commonwealth Games The 2014 Commonwealth Games ( gd, Geamannan a' Cho-fhlaitheis 2014), officially known as the XX Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Glasgow 2014, ( sco, Glesca 2014 or Glesga 2014; gd, Glaschu 2014), was an international multi-sport ev ...
in Glasgow, he won two gold medals, one silver medal, and four bronze medals. At the
2018 Commonwealth Games The 2018 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXI Commonwealth Games and also known as Gold Coast 2018, was an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth that were held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, bet ...
in Gold Coast, he won three golds, a silver and a bronze. English actor Jason Statham took part as a diver in the 1990 Commonwealth Games. At the
2022 Commonwealth Games The 2022 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Birmingham 2022, was an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth of Nations that took place in Birmingham, England bet ...
in Birmingham, Australian singer Cody Simpson won a gold medal as a swimmer at the Swimming at the 2022 Commonwealth Games – Men's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay, men's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay.


See also


Notes


References


Sources

* Brown, Geoff and Hogsbjerg, Christian. ''Apartheid is not a Game: Remembering the Stop the Seventy Tour campaign.'' London: Redwords, 2020. .


Further reading

* Phillips, Bob. ''Honour of Empire, Glory of Sport: the history of athletics at the Commonwealth Games.'' Manchester: Parrswood Press, 2000. .


External links

*
Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) at the Commonwealth website

"Commonwealth Games"
''Encyclopædia Britannica'' Online.
insidethegames – the latest and most up to date news and interviews from the world of Olympic, Commonwealth and Paralympic Games

ATR – Around the Rings – the Business Surrounding the Multi-sport events

GamesBids.com – An Authoritative Review of Games Bid Business (home of the BidIndex™)
{{Authority control Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Games Commonwealth sports competitions, * Events in the British Empire Multi-sport events Politics and sports Quadrennial sporting events Recurring sporting events established in 1930