Andy Burnham will be in Glasgow today for the opening of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games which will provide a £150 million boost for the city.
Mr Burnham is not expected to host a general media briefing, a decision that has caused some anger, particularly after his controversial decision to appoint outgoing Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar as a trade minister provoked a backlash.
The Prime Minister will join First Minister John Swinney who said the Games provides a huge opportunity to showcase the best of Scotland on the world stage.
He will welcome the heads of visiting delegations from the 73 Commonwealth nations at an event at Team Scotland House, Glasgow.
Officially opened by Minister for Sport Maree Todd, Scotland House will operate as both a space for the athletes and their families, as a well as a central hub for business engagement, hosting a programme of sporting and business events throughout the Games.
The First Minister said: “Since the success of 2014, Glasgow has reinforced its reputation as one of the world’s leading sporting cities. The excitement is gearing up here once again as the city gets ready to welcome the Games and the stage is set for the opening ceremony.
“The world will be watching, and this is a huge opportunity for us to showcase what Scotland has to offer – our passion, our warmth, our enthusiasm, our respect for others and our belief in the power of sport to inspire people and bring communities together.”
The Scottish Government is investing £20 million through the ’Summer of Sport’.
Sport Minister Maree Todd said: “The Games are expected to bring more than £150 million of economic benefit, supporting local businesses and jobs. By bringing sport, culture and business together we will ensure Glasgow 2026 delivers benefits that extend far beyond the Games.
The event is hosted by the UK Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, demonstrated the legacy of the Commonwealth Games goes beyond the arenas and creates a partnership between countries.
Amdavad in India will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the UK also has strong trade links with India, particularly with the India Free Trade Agreement coming into force on 15 July.
Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander said:”The Commonwealth Games is about bringing people and countries together, sharing our experiences and getting the most out of this fantastic opportunity.
“Scotland is one of the world’s leading nations in delivering sports and cultural events. Having the opportunity to share those lessons on what the Glasgow organising committee has achieved with the next host country is a great example of what the Commonwealth Games can achieve.
“The links between the UK and India of course go beyond our shared hosting responsibilities, with the India Free Trade Agreement boosting investment in both countries through improved tariff conditions for products like whisky, as well as benefiting sectors like life science and technology.”
The UK has developed a track-record for hosting world-class sporting events, including the last Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022, which generated an estimated £871m in economic value to the UK, as well as the 2012 Olympic Games, Glasgow’s 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Rugby and Cricket World Cups.
The government said the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games has demonstrated a new and sustainable approach to organising the event, to ensure elite sporting talent can continue to be showcased in the UK and across the world.
Glasgow stepped in as the host city after Victoria, Australia, withdrew in 2023. The UK Government gave its backing providing operational support and committing funding to Games safety and security costs.
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