Commonwealth Games: A Comprehensive Overview

The Commonwealth Games, a quadrennial multi-sport event, unites athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations, primarily former territories of the British Empire. Overseen by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), it is a major global competition with a rich history and unique traditions like the King’s Baton Relay. This article addresses the host countries, history, included sports, past and current events, India’s position, participating members with website links, and regulatory bodies for all sports with official international and national (India, as an example) links, aligning with the provided structure.

When Did the Commonwealth Games Start?

The Commonwealth Games began in 1930 as the British Empire Games in Hamilton, Canada, following the Inter-Empire Championships of 1911. Proposed by John Astley Cooper in 1891 and championed by Melville Marks Robinson, the inaugural Games featured 11 countries, 6 sports, and 59 events. The event evolved through name changes: British Empire Games (1930–1950), British Empire and Commonwealth Games (1954–1966), British Commonwealth Games (1970–1974), and Commonwealth Games since 1978, reflecting decolonization and inclusivity. The CGF has governed the Games since its inception, integrating athletes with disabilities as full members since 2002.

Countries Where the Commonwealth Games Are Held (Host Countries)

The Commonwealth Games have been hosted by 9 countries across 22 editions (1930–2022), with the 23rd edition set for 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland, and the 24th in 2030 in Ahmedabad, India. Australia leads with five editions, while Canada has hosted four, and New Zealand and England three each. Below is the complete list of past and future hosts:

Key Notes: Australia’s five editions reflect its strong sporting infrastructure. Glasgow will be the third city to host twice (2014, 2026). The 2026 Games, scaled down to 10 sports due to Victoria, Australia’s withdrawal, mark a cost-conscious approach. India has hosted once (2010) and will host again in 2030.

Which Games (Sports) Are Included?

The Commonwealth Games feature a flexible program of 10–20 sports per edition, with a minimum of 10 core/mandatory sports and up to 7 optional sports, approved four years in advance. The program includes Olympic sports, Commonwealth-specific sports (e.g., Lawn Bowls, Netball), and para-sports since 2002. The 2022 Birmingham Games had 20 sports and 283 events, while 2026 Glasgow will feature 10 sports due to emergency hosting. Below is the list of approved sports (23 total, including 3 multi-disciplinary and 10 para-sports):

1. Archery (1982, 2010)
2. Athletics (1930–present)
3. Para Athletics (1994, 2002–present)
4. Badminton (1966–2022)
5. Basketball (2006, 2018)
6. 3×3 Basketball (2022–present)
7. Boxing (1930–present)
8. Cricket (1998, 2022)
9. Cycling (Mountain Bike) (2002–2006, 2014–present)
10. Cycling (Para Track) (2014–present)
11. Cycling (Road) (1938–present)
12. Cycling (Track) (1934–present)
13. Diving (1930–2022)
14. Hockey (1998–2022)
15. Gymnastics (Artistic) (1978, 1990–present)
16. Gymnastics (Rhythmic) (1978, 1990–1998, 2006–present)
17. Judo (1990, 2002, 2014, 2022–present)
18. Lawn Bowls (1930–1962, 1970–present)
19. Para Lawn Bowls (1994, 2002, 2014–present)
20. Netball (Women) (1998–present)
21. Powerlifting (2002–present)
22. Rugby Sevens (1998–2022)
23. Shooting (1966, 1974–2018)
24. Squash (1998–2022)
25. Swimming (1930–present)
26. Para Swimming (2002–present)
27. Table Tennis (2002–2022)
28. Para Table Tennis (2002–2022)
29. Triathlon (2002–2006, 2014–2022)
30. Volleyball (Beach) (2018–2022)
31. Weightlifting (1950–present)
32. Wrestling (Freestyle) (1930–1986, 1994, 2002, 2010–2022)

Recognized but Not Contested:

• Billiards, Fencing (1950–1970), Association Football, Golf (2026), Handball, Life Saving, Rugby League, Volleyball (Indoor), Water Polo (1950), Canoeing, Rowing (1930, 1938–1962, 1986), Sailing, Softball, Synchronized Swimming (1986–2006), Taekwondo, Tennis (2010), Wrestling (Greco-Roman, 2010).

Past vs. Current Events:

• Past (Discontinued/Introduced Earlier): Shooting (discontinued post-2018 due to host preferences), Synchronized Swimming (1986–2006), Rowing (last in 1986), Tennis (2010 only). Early editions (1930–1950) had fewer sports (6–9, e.g., Athletics, Boxing, Swimming). Team sports like Cricket, Hockey, and Netball were added in 1998.
• Current (Ongoing/Recent Additions): 3×3 Basketball (since 2022), Para-sports (Athletics, Swimming, Lawn Bowls, Powerlifting, Table Tennis), Judo (reinstated 2022), Golf (set for 2026). Core sports like Athletics and Swimming remain constant. The 2026 Games will include only 10 sports: Athletics, Para Athletics, Swimming, Para Swimming, Cycling (Road, Track, Para Track), Boxing, Judo, Lawn Bowls, Para Lawn Bowls, Weightlifting, and Wrestling (Freestyle).

Till Now, India’s Position

India has participated in 16 editions (1934–1938, 1954–1958, 1966–1982, 1990–present) and ranks 4th in the all-time medal table (as of 2022 Birmingham Games):

• Medals: 203 Gold, 190 Silver, 171 Bronze (Total: 564).
• Highlights: India’s best performance was in 2010 (Delhi, as host), finishing 2nd with 101 medals (38 Gold). Strong sports include Wrestling (49 Golds), Shooting (33), Weightlifting (28), and Badminton (10). In 2022, India secured 61 medals (22 Gold), ranking 4th.

All-Time Top 10 Medal Table (as of 2022):

Medal Leaders by Year:

• 1930–1934: England
• 1938, 1950, 1962, 1970, 1974, 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2018, 2022: Australia
• 1954, 1958, 1966, 1986, 2014: England
• 1978: Canada

Members (Participating Nations) with Website Links

The Commonwealth Games feature 74 active Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs), including 56 sovereign states and 18 non-sovereign entities (e.g., Home Nations, Crown Dependencies, British Overseas Territories, Norfolk Island, Niue). Only six teams have attended every edition: Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland, and Wales. Below are the CGAs with their official websites (where available):

• Anguilla: Anguilla Commonwealth Games Association
• Antigua and Barbuda: Antigua and Barbuda National Olympic Committee
• Australia: Commonwealth Games Australia
• Bahamas: Bahamas Olympic Committee
• Bangladesh: Bangladesh Olympic Association
• Barbados: Barbados Olympic Association
• Belize: Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association
• Bermuda: Bermuda Olympic Association
• Botswana: Botswana National Olympic Committee
• British Virgin Islands: BVI Olympic Committee
• Brunei Darussalam: Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Committee
• Cameroon: Cameroon Olympic and Sports Committee
• Canada: Commonwealth Games Canada
• Cayman Islands: Cayman Islands Olympic Committee
• Cook Islands: Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee
• Cyprus: Cyprus Olympic Committee
• Dominica: Dominica Olympic Committee
• England: Commonwealth Games England
• Eswatini: Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association
• Falkland Islands: Falkland Islands Overseas Games Association
• Fiji: Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee
• Gabon: Gabonese Olympic Committee (Expected 2026 debut)
• Gambia: Gambia National Olympic Committee
• Ghana: Ghana Olympic Committee
• Gibraltar: Gibraltar Commonwealth Games Association
• Grenada: Grenada Olympic Committee
• Guernsey: Guernsey Commonwealth Games Association
• Guyana: Guyana Olympic Association
• India: Indian Olympic Association
• Isle of Man: Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association
• Jamaica: Jamaica Olympic Association
• Jersey: Commonwealth Games Association of Jersey
• Kenya: National Olympic Committee of Kenya
• Kiribati: Kiribati National Olympic Committee
• Lesotho: Lesotho National Olympic Committee
• Malawi: Malawi Olympic Committee
• Malaysia: Olympic Council of Malaysia
• Maldives: National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Maldives
• Malta: Malta Olympic Committee
• Mauritius: Mauritius Olympic Committee
• Montserrat: Montserrat Olympic Committee
• Mozambique: Mozambique National Olympic Committee
• Namibia: Namibia National Olympic Committee
• Nauru: Nauru Olympic Committee
• New Zealand: New Zealand Olympic Committee
• Nigeria: Nigeria Olympic Committee
• Niue: Niue Island Sports and Commonwealth Games Association
• Norfolk Island: Norfolk Island Olympic Committee
• Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council
• Pakistan: Pakistan Olympic Association
• Papua New Guinea: Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee
• Rwanda: Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee
• Saint Helena: Saint Helena Commonwealth Games Association
• Saint Kitts and Nevis: St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee
• Saint Lucia: Saint Lucia Olympic Committee
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee
• Samoa: Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee
• Scotland: Commonwealth Games Scotland
• Seychelles: Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association
• Sierra Leone: National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone
• Singapore: Singapore National Olympic Council
• Solomon Islands: Solomon Islands National Olympic Committee
• South Africa: South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee
• Sri Lanka: National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka
• Tanzania: Tanzania Olympic Committee
• Togo: Togo National Olympic Committee (Expected 2026 debut)
• Tonga: Tonga Sports Association and National Olympic Committee
• Trinidad and Tobago: Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee
• Turks and Caicos Islands: Turks and Caicos Islands Commonwealth Games Association
• Tuvalu: Tuvalu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee
• Uganda: Uganda Olympic Committee
• Vanuatu: Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee
• Wales: Commonwealth Games Wales
• Zambia: National Olympic Committee of Zambia

Notes:

• Links are sourced from CGF/IOC directories and are current as of October 24, 2025. For updates, visit CGF Members Page.
• Non-sovereign CGAs (e.g., Guernsey, Jersey, Northern Ireland) are unique to the Commonwealth Games, reflecting the Commonwealth’s inclusivity.
• Gabon and Togo, new Commonwealth members (2022), are expected to debut in 2026. Territories like Tokelau, Christmas Island, and Pitcairn Islands have not participated due to eligibility or population constraints.

All Games in Commonwealth Games: Regulatory Bodies and Official Links (National/International)

Each sport is governed by an international federation (IF) for global rules, with regional confederations (e.g., Asian or Oceania bodies) and national federations (e.g., India) managing local events. Below is the list of approved Commonwealth Games sports with their regulatory bodies and links (international and Indian national as an example).

Recognized but Not Contested Sports:

Notes:

• Links are current as of October 24, 2025, sourced from CGF/IOC and national federation websites.
• For sports like Gymnastics, Netball, Powerlifting, and Softball, where Indian federations lack dedicated websites, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) link is used: sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in.
• Para-sports are often managed by national Paralympic committees (e.g., Paralympic Committee of India) rather than sport-specific federations.
• For other countries’ national federations, refer to respective CGA websites or CGF’s directory: thecgf.com/members.

This content provides a detailed overview of the Commonwealth Games, addressing all requested aspects. If you need further details (e.g., specific athlete achievements, controversies, or related events like the Commonwealth Youth Games), please let me know!