Commonwealth Games organisers are optimistic about a late surge in ticket sales as Glasgow prepares for the opening ceremony on Thursday night. Despite the Games’ significantly reduced scale, seats remain available across various events at the four competition venues.

The opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro still had adult tickets available on Wednesday, priced between £45 and £95. The 13,000-capacity arena will feature live music, the parade of nations, and the arrival of all 74 Commonwealth batons. Notably, Sir Chris Hoy, a six-time Olympic cycling champion who disclosed his battle with stage-four cancer in 2024, is set to participate.

Glasgow 2026 presents a stark contrast to the city’s acclaimed 2014 Games. The previous opening ceremony at Celtic Park drew over 40,000 spectators, with Queen Elizabeth II officially declaring the Games open. This year’s event has been scaled back following the withdrawal of Victoria, Australia, as hosts due to rising costs.

Only 500,000 tickets are available for the Games, significantly fewer than the 1.2 million offered in 2014. Reports indicate that ticket sales have been slower than anticipated, with public interest appearing more subdued. Prices vary widely: adult tickets for bowls and para bowls start at £10, while tickets for Friday’s swimming session featuring Adam Peaty, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, begin at £90.

To boost attendance, members of Scotland’s Tartan Army were offered free tickets for selected sessions, including athletics and para powerlifting, as a gesture of gratitude for their support at the football World Cup.

During the opening ceremony, Alex Marshall, a veteran lawn bowler and Scotland’s most decorated Commonwealth athlete, will lead the Scottish team alongside Sarah Adlington, a double Commonwealth judo champion. England’s flag bearers will be Sian Honnor and Luke Greenbank, while Nina Kennedy and Tim Hodge will lead the Australian team.