22 JULY 2026 - COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2026 STARTING INCLUDING PARASPORTS

The waiting is over. The Commonwealth Games 2026 are starting soon.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games July 23 to August 2 2026 features a fully integrated Para-sport program - meaning medals won by Para-athletes directly contribute to a nation's official medal tally.  

With Para Athletics, Para swimming, Para powerlifting, 3x3 wheelchair basketball, Para track cycling and Para Bowls fully integrated into the Glasgow 2026, there will be even more chance for spectators to get inspired as athletes overcome barriers to compete at the highest level.

Para athletes undergo an assessment by certified classifiers to determine their classification based on how their impairment affects performance in their event(s). Athletes are grouped together based on their classification to ensure fair competition.  

The following information is shared about these Para sports on the website www.glasgow2026.com

Para Athletics

The Para Athletics classification system for uses as T for track events and F for field events, identified by numbers indicating the type and severity of impairment. 

Typical Groups include:

• T/F11-13 (Vision impairment)

• T/F20 (Intellectual impairment)

• T/F35-38 (Co-ordination impairments (hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis))

• T/F40-41 (Short stature)

• T/F42-44 (Lower limb competing without prosthesis affected by limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement)

Para Swimming

To be eligible to compete in Para Swimming, a person must have an eligible impairment and meet the minimum impairment criteria set out in the World Para Swimming Classification Rules and Regulations. 

World Para Swimming caters for three impairment groups - physical, intellectual and vision impairment and there are 10 eligible impairment types numbered 1-10.  Sport class names use a prefix “S” (Freestyle, Butterfly and Backstroke), “SB” (Breaststroke) and “SM” (Individual Medley). 

• S1-S10 / SB1 – SB9 / SM1- SM10 (Physical impairment) 

• S/SB11-13 (Vision impairment)

• S/SB14 (Intellectual impairment) 

Para Powerlifting

Para Powerlifting is the ultimate test of upper body strength, with athletes competing in the bench press discipline. Athletes must lower the bar to their chest, hold it motionless, then press it upwards to full arm extension with locked elbows. Three international referees instantly decide the outcome using a system of white and red lights: Two or more white lights = a good lift Two or more red lights = no lift. Each lifter has three attempts. The athlete who lifts the heaviest successful weight wins. A fourth attempt may be granted (at the jury’s discretion) for a world record, but it doesn't count towards final rankings. 

Such is the strength on show that it’s not uncommon for Para Powerlifters to lift more than three times their body weight. All athletes competing in the Para Powerlifting event have an impairment in their lower limbs or hips that meets the minimum impairment criteria to compete. Unlike other para sports, Para Powerlifting does not use multiple functional sport classes: athletes compete based on gender and weight.

3x3 Wheelchair Basketball

3x3 Wheelchair Basketball follows many of the core rules with the running game, such as the court size, hoop height, game length and first-to-21-win condition. The game does, however, incorporate adaptions for wheelchair movements. Athletes must pass or bounce the ball after every two pushes on their wheelchair to avoid being penalised for travelling. 

Given the speed of play on court and the manoeuvres required to outwit and outpace opponents, it can be difficult to brake in time. Some contact is inevitable - and can result in some spectacular collisions - but head-on contact is not allowed and can result in players being ejected from the game. 

To ensure fairness across the game, 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball utilises a classification system. Classification is based on the players' functional capacity to complete the skills necessary to play - pushing, pivoting and shooting.  Each player is assigned a classification number, and the total points on the court at any time for one team is a maximum of 8.5. This ensures that the level of play on court is balanced.  

Para Track Cycling

Para Track Cycling is fully integrated into the Track Cycling event at the Glasgow 2026 Games. In Para Cycling, there are eight classified impairment types which determine how athletes are grouped for competition. They are: 

• Impaired muscle power 

• Impaired Passive Range of Movement

• Limb Deficiency  

• Leg Length Difference

• Hypertonia

• Ataxia

• Athetosis

• Vision Impairment 

Para Track cyclists are split into categories C (Cycle: conventional bike with adaptations if necessary) and B (Tandem: for visually impaired athletes with a sighted pilot). They are then given a sport class: C (1-5), T (1-2) - with a lower number indicating a higher level of impairment. 

Para Bowls

The para event sees competitors with physical disabilities and visual impairments to compete against each other. Para athletes are classified based on the degree of their disability, and matches are organised to ensure that there is a fair playing field. Codes issued B1-B4 are reserved for those with visual impairment, whilst B5-B8 are reserved for those with physical disabilities. 

Glasgow 2026 will have the joint largest-ever Para Bowls programme at a Commonwealth Games, matching the three events held at Birmingham 2022. Bowlers will have the opportunity to compete in: Men’s Pairs B6-B8, Women’s Pairs B6-B8 and/or Mixed Pairs B2-B3. 

Though Para Bowls follows the same rules as the mainstream game, some adjustments, such as the use of delivery aids, makers/ assistants, may be used by para athletes. 

We wish all athletes a successful participation in the Commonwealth Games 2026.