Esports Omitted from 2026 Commonwealth Games

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will no longer feature esports as a competitive event. This unexpected reversal comes after the discipline's successful introduction in the 2022 Games. According to reports, the organisers have declined to provide a reason for this decision. The 2022 Commonwealth Games, held in Birmingham, UK, marked the first time esports was included, and it was deemed a success by Commonwealth Games Federation president Louise Martin. The next edition is scheduled to take place in Victoria, Australia. Sources suggest that resistance from traditional members and concerns over doping may have contributed to the exclusion. However, the Commonwealth Games Federation and Global Esports Federation have stated that they will continue to work towards creating an inclusion pathway for esports in future events.