Less prestigious than the Olympic Games, but much more important than the world championships of the various international governing bodies, the Commonwealth Games have their roots in the past but their eyes on the future.
74 member states of the Commonwealth Games Association, spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and Oceania, are taking part in Glasgow 2026, many of them barely managing to see themselves on the world stage.
For example, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, Brunei, the Cayman Islands, the Cook Islands, Eswatini, Gambia, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, the Maldives, Malta, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Seychelles, Sierra Leone, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu haven’t won Olympic titles yet, but they are going strong. represented at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Brunei, Eswatini, the Falkland Islands, Gabon, Gibraltar, the Maldives, Montserrat, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Sierra Leone, Togo and the Turks and Caicos Islands are eyeing their first Commonwealth Games trophies in Scotland this summer.
It’s this lack of praise that makes the event so special, so read on as we explain how to watch the Commonwealth Games for free in the UK.
Can you watch the Commonwealth Games for free in the UK?
Yeah. S4C and BBC Alba They each offer free coverage of the Commonwealth Games in the UK, with live streaming available via BBC iPlayer. However, the problem – and it is a big one – is that S4C and BBC Alba are, respectively, Welsh and Gaelic channels.
Another free option is 5which broadcasts a nightly highlight show.
Meanwhile, extensive free coverage of the Commonwealth Games is available in many countries around the world, with the best options being in English 7Plus in Australia and CBC Gem in Canada.
Free in the air three now in New Zealand also livestreams select Glasgow 2026 events.
Spending time in the UK from Australia, Canada or New Zealand? You can use a vpn to watch the Commonwealth Games for free as if you were at home.
Use a VPN to watch any Commonwealth Games 2026 broadcast
A VPN is useful software that can make your device appear as if you are in your home country, so you can unblock your usual service. Best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and offers up to 75% off.
Why isn’t the BBC showing the Commonwealth Games?
The Commonwealth Games are broadcast on the BBC, but not in English. As explained above, Glasgow 2026 is broadcast free-to-air on S4C in Welsh and BBC Alba in Gaelic.
Both channels can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer.
English rights to the Commonwealth Games are held by TNT Sports, which requires a subscription, being the cheapest and most flexible option maximum HBO.
Plans start at £25.99 per month, with ongoing subscriptions available for £30.99.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy when you are abroad. We do not support or tolerate illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Future Publishing does not endorse or approve the consumption of paid pirated content.
