Glasgow has successfully hosted the 2026 Commonwealth Games, delivering an event that showcased 674 medals and attracted thousands of enthusiastic fans over eleven days. While the Scottish city answered the call after Victoria withdrew as host, doubts linger about the future of the Games, especially with Ahmedabad set to take the reins next.

Raghu Iyer, chief executive of the Indian Olympic Association, expressed caution, stating, "I don't think one can give any guarantees," as the event concluded on Sunday evening. Despite Glasgow's efforts exceeding expectations, concerns about attendance and future viability remain.

Highlights from the Games included:

• Josh Kerr's triumphant homecoming at Scotstoun.
• Angharad Evans electrifying the swimming crowd.
• Neil Fachie's emotional return to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.
• Jamaica's stunning netball victory over Australia.

However, ticket sales totaled 434,000, significantly lower than the 1.5 million for Birmingham 2022, attributed to smaller venues in this scaled-back edition. The event's visibility also suffered, with limited UK coverage despite record viewership in Australia and New Zealand.

The absence of top athletes, notably in athletics, further impacted the Games' profile. Emerging talents like Filip Nowacki, Ruby Evans, and Emma Finucane provided bright spots, with many now eyeing the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Looking ahead, the October scheduling for Ahmedabad aims to alleviate conflicts with European Championships but may extend athletes' grueling seasons. With the goal of hosting the Olympics in the future, Ahmedabad's preparations will be closely scrutinized, especially given the ambitious budget of nearly £320m compared to Glasgow's £160m. As costs rise alongside the number of sports, the financial viability of the Commonwealth Games continues to be a pressing concern.