Watch Commonwealth Games 2026 live streams as Josh Kerr, Emma Finucane and Adam Peaty headline a star-studded cast ready to shine across 11 days in Glasgow.
More than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations will compete for 215 gold medals across 10 sports (16 disciplines, including para sports), with the opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro indoor arena kicking off the festivities.
Keep reading to discover how to watch Commonwealth Games 2026 online from anywhere – starting with those FREE options.
Can I watch Commonwealth Games 2026 for free?
Yes! Commonwealth Games 2026 will be streamed live and free in many countries around the world, with the best English-language coverage available in Australia and Canada.
Abroad during the games? You can use NordVPN (try 100% risk-free) to watch all the action free of charge as if you were right at home.
Use a VPN to watch any Commonwealth Games 2026 stream
Taking place from July 23 to August 2, Commonwealth Games 2026 coincides with peak summer vacation season. Unfortunately, you may find that your usual streaming options are geoblocked while you’re away.
That’s where a VPN comes in handy – not only does it let you access your home streaming services from anywhere, but it also protects you from potential online threats. We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and will unblock any free streaming service for you to watch the action.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple:
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we’ve said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you’re visiting the US and want to view your usual Australian service, you’d select an Australia-based server from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to your usual local streaming service and watch the games.
How to watch Commonwealth Games 2026 live streams in the US
Live streams of Commonwealth Games 2026 are on beIN SPORTS in the US.
Fans in the US can watch every second on beIN SPORTS CONNECT. This will also give you access to the main beIN Sports channel which will have key action live.
beIN SPORTS subscriptions are available from $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year.
Outside the US during the Commonwealth Games? Use NordVPN to access your beIN SPORTS streams.
How to watch Commonwealth Games 2026 live streams in Canada
CBC has the rights to broadcast Commonwealth Games 2026 for FREE.
You can watch some events on TV via the free-to-air CBC Sports or, for much more comprehensive live and on-demand coverage, head to its CBC Gem streaming platform.
If you aren’t in Canada for the games, simply use a VPN to tune in from overseas.
How to watch Commonwealth Games 2026 live streams in the UK and Ireland
Coverage of Commonwealth Games 2026 in the UK and Ireland will be provided by TNT Sports.
TNT Sports are the live broadcast partner of the games in the UK and Ireland and will show every event on its streaming partner HBO Max.
Plans start at £25.99 per month, with rolling subscriptions available at £30.99.
If you just want to watch highlights, these will be free-to-air on Channel 5 every day.
Make sure to use NordVPN if you’re out of Blighty or Ireland during the games.
How to watch Commonwealth Games 2026 live streams in Australia
Fans in Australia can watch live coverage of Commonwealth Games 2026 for free on Channel 7 and its streaming website 7Plus.
If you’re currently out of Australia but want to watch free Commonwealth Games live streams, you’ll need to get yourself a VPN as per the instructions above.
Commonwealth Games 2026 Preview
Kerr arrives in Glasgow fresh from breaking the men’s mile world record in London last Saturday, in a time of 3mins 42.66secs. The Scot goes for gold in the return of the historic Commonwealth Mile, as he aims to add another medal to his World Championship gold in 2023 and Olympic silver two years ago.
The track and field line-up also includes England’s Zharnel Hughes in the 200m, global superstars Shericka Jackson and Andre De Grasse representing Jamaica and Canada respectively in the 4x100m relays, and a highly-anticipated javelin showdown between India’s Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, the two most recent Olympic champions.
Welsh rocket Emma Finucane is one to watch in the track cycling, with the 23-year-old aiming to add Commonwealth glory in the women’s sprint to her Olympic, world and European golds. There will also be plenty of attention on Matthew Richardson, who claimed gold in the sprint and team sprint for Australia in Birmingham four years ago but has since switched allegiance to England, the country of his birth.
In the pool, Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Adam Peaty goes in the 50m and 100m breaststroke events as he looks to make waves for England. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Chad Le Clos – who beat Michael Phelps to 200m butterfly gold way back at London 2012 – needs one medal to become the most decorated male athlete in Commonwealth Games history, having already stood on the podium 18 times.
When do the Commonwealth Games 2026 start?
The Commonwealth Games 2026 take place between Thursday, July 23 and Sunday, August 2.
The opening ceremony kicks off the festivities on Thursday, July 23 at 8pm BST / 3pm ET / 12pm PT/ 5am AEST (Fri).
What sports are included in Commonwealth Games 2026?
- Athletics and Para Athletics
- Swimming and Para Swimming
- Artistic Gymnastics
- Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling
- Netball
- Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting
- Boxing
- Judo
- Bowls and Para Bowls
- 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball
Can I watch Commonwealth Games 2026 on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone’s browser to live stream the Commonwealth Games, for example TNT Sports in the UK.
You can also stay up-to-date with all Commonwealth Games 2026 events on the official social media channels such as on X (@Glasgow_2026), Instagram (@glasgow_2026) and YouTube (@CommonwealthGames).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
