When is Commonwealth Games opening ceremony? How to watch and who’s performing

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Scotland is raring to boogie once more as the 2026 Commonwealth Games get underway with its opening ceremony on Thursday.

The Games return to Glasgow just 12 years after they were first hosted in the Scottish city, with a showpiece event at the Hydro expected to set the tone for the 10 days of action that will follow.

Medal events will run from Friday 24 July to Sunday 2 August, which will see more than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories competing for 215 golds.

But before competition gets going, they will all come together at the opening ceremony, with each nation and territory sporting an individual batons customised to represent their culture.

Here’s everything you need to know about the opening ceremony.

When is the opening ceremony?

The opening ceremony starts at 8pm BST on Thursday 23 July at the Hydro in Glasgow.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the UK can watch the opening ceremony on TNT Sports 2, with coverage starting at 6:30pm BST. It can also be streamed on HBO Max.

Who will be performing?

A number of artists will take to the stage to provide the musical entertainment, headlined by Tom Walker, who is most famed for his track Leave a Light On.

KT Tunstall, Callum Beattie, Nina Nesbitt and Valtos will also be performing, as well as Scottish collaboration Nathan Evans and Saint PHNX.

Six-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy will also take part in the opening, serving a poignant moment nearly two years on from his stage-four cancer diagnosis.