Superstar Max Whitlock is hunting for his fifth Commonwealth gold medal as the schedule for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is revealed.
The 33-year-old Team England great won three golds in Glasgow in 2014 and is looking to rekindle his legendary form that made him the most successful gymnast in the nation’s history, after coming out of retirement to target the Olympics in 2028.
Gymnastics will deliver some of the most jaw-dropping, spectacular and beautiful athletic moments of Glasgow 2026, at the Glasgow International Arena between 24 July and 28 July.
Team Scotland and Team England men go head-to-head on Friday 24 July in an evening session that includes the men’s team final, individual qualification, and medal ceremony.
Team Scotland and Team England women kick off their team medal bids and individual qualifying at 15.45 BST on Saturday 25 July in what promises to be a thrilling watch, with Australia women also big medal contenders. Scotland are paired with Wales starting on the uneven bars, and England with South Africa, on the vault.
On 24 July the men of Wales, Australia, Canada are competing in the evening. In the daytime session Rhys McClenaghan of Northern Ireland, who will rival Whitlock in the Pommel Horse is up, while 20 nations in the women’s team event including Wales, Barbados, Jamaica and New Zealand a day later.
Whitlock has won fourteen medals and six titles at world and Olympics events. On the pommel horse he is the greatest Olympian in history with two golds and a bronze.
Whitlock said: “I’m excited to be heading to my fourth Commonwealth Games. We’ve got a very strong team, which is really exciting, and I’m looking forward to getting out there and competing with them. It’s also special to be going back to Glasgow which feels as close to a home Games as you can get. We’ll have amazing support from the crowd for all the Home Nations.”
Team Scotland has named nine gymnasts including Gold Coast 2018 bronze medallist Hamish Carter in his third Games, joined by Birmingham 2022 teammates Cameron Lynn and Pavel Karnejenko. The 2026 Scottish all-around champion Reuben Ward and Connor Sullivan complete the team.
At Glasgow 2026, women compete across four apparatus: Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam and Floor Exercise. The men compete on the Floor, Pommel Horse, Still Rings, Vault, Parallel Bars and Horizontal Bar. Scores are based on difficulty and execution, with medals awarded to the best individual and highest-scoring performance on each apparatus.
In the Individual All-Around event, competitors compete again on each apparatus. In the Team Final, at least three of the nation’s gymnasts will compete on each of the apparatus.
Natalie Cunningham, Director of Sport, Glasgow 2026 said: "The gymnastics competition always captures the imagination of fans who attend the arena. Watching Max Whitlock, our Olympic and Commonwealth Games great, along with the super-human feats and beauty of movement of the athletes at a major Games is an exciting prospect for sport lovers, and not to be missed."
Ann-Louise Morgan, Director of Sport at Commonwealth Sport, said: "Artistic Gymnastics has always been one of the standout sports at the Commonwealth Games. It's where you see some of the world's very best athletes competing alongside exciting young gymnasts who are making their mark on the international stage.
"Glasgow 2026 promises another fantastic competition. That mix of Olympic and world medallists alongside the stars of tomorrow is something that's unique to the Commonwealth Games, and I can't wait to see the athletes inspire fans in the arena and watching around the world."
Jonathon Riall, Team England Chef de Mission, said: “Gymnastics has been one of Team England's most successful sports in recent years. The squad contains several exciting new faces, for whom this is their first senior multi-sport Games, and I can't wait to see them shine on the big stage for Team England alongside Olympic and world medallists.”
Elinor Middlemiss MBE, Team Scotland Chef de Mission, said: “We’re delighted to announce our gymnastics team, which has a fantastic blend of experience and those competing for Team Scotland for the first time. Glasgow 2026 is a great opportunity to show what they can do on the big stage. I’m confident all nine gymnasts will perform to their best, buoyed by enthusiastic home support.”
Glasgow 2026 is the largest sporting event in the UK this year, approximately 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories set to compete in 10 sports and six Para sports, in four iconic venues across the city.
The final ticket drop is on sale now for the gymnastic sessions. Fans are encouraged not to miss out and get their hands on their tickets today, available at glasgow2026.com/tickets.
0 Comments