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Hockey, rugby sevens and cricket are among the headline sports axed from the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with athletes competing in only 10 sports in Glasgow.
Team sports hockey, rugby sevens and cricket are among the big-name Commonwealth Games casualties, axed from the pared-back Glasgow program in 2026.
Next year's Games, relocated to Scotland after Victoria's withdrawal as host, will feature just 10 events, which is nine less than the previous edition held in 2022 in Birmingham, England.
Other sports to be left out include diving, badminton, beach volleyball, mountain biking, rhythmic gymnastics, squash and table tennis.
Athletics and swimming were the only sports guaranteed a spot on the program, which also includes track cycling, weightlifting, 3x3 basketball and lawns bowls - all of which include a para equivalent.
Netball, artistic gymnastics, judo and boxing round out the chosen 10, with the Games to run from Thursday, July 23 to Sunday, August 2.
As a cost-saving measure, the 10 sports will be spread across just four venues - Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena (including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome) and the Scottish Event Campus.
That dictated which sports were included although sevens could be considered unlucky given Scotstoun Stadium, which will host the athletics, is also the home of the Glasgow Warriors rugby union side.
About half the number of athletes who competed in Birmingham - 4822 - are set to be in Glasgow with the reduced cost contributing to the decision to cut weighty team sports.
Cricket was only reintroduced at the 2022 Games.
Athletes and support staff will stay in hotel accommodation rather than an athletes' village while the event will have low-cost opening and closing ceremonies.
Australia topped the medal tally at Birmingham 2022 with 180, including 67 gold, however that figure won't be surpassed in Glasgow given the leaner program.
The multi-sport event had been endangered since the government of Victoria pulled out as host last year, citing spiralling costs, which, it claimed, had blown the budget out to $6 billion.
Victoria then paid $380 million in compensation to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), of which $200 million has been directed to Scotland, who also hosted the event in 2014.
That figure will be topped up by $4.5 million from Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) to cover security.
The 2026 program will be officially released later on Wednesday.
