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The Commonwealth Games is a sporting event staged between the elite athletes of countries from the Commonwealth. It is held every four years, and is conducted over many sports, in a format much like the Olympic Games.

The Commonwealth Games attracts the top athletes of member nations of the Commonwealth, thus making it a world-class competition, second only to the Olympic Games in many people's opinion.

The Commonwealth Games are unique in the world of sport as it is based on a historical linkage of Commonwealth countries, not based on geographic features such as the Asian, Pan Am and African Games, or based on climatic conditions such as the Winter Olympics.

The Games are also unique as it shares a common language, unlike the Olympic Games, as all athletes and officials can speak with each other in English, creating an atmosphere that has led to the Commonwealth Games being long known as the 'Friendly Games'. (see the comparison between the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

Next Games - Glasgow 2026

The next Commonwealth Games will be held in 2026. Originally the event was to be hosted in Victoria Australia, but in 2024 Glasgow were announced to replace them.

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Other Pages

• Host cities — profiles and results from each Games.
• Country Profiles — facts and figures about each past and present participants at the Games.
• Commonwealth Games History
• Mascots — a list of mascots for each of the Games since 1978.
• Boycotts
• Trivia — all you need to know.
• Which sports are included
• Queen's Baton Relay — where it goes and what it means.
• Highlights — some of the memorable moments in Commonwealth Games history.
• Medal counts from previous games.
• Name changes — The Commonwealth Games has been known by a few different names.
• David Dixon Award — winners of the Outstanding Athlete of the Commonwealth Games award.
• Oldest and youngest Commonwealth Games athletes
• Food service at the Commonwealth Games athlete villages
• Books — books about the Commonwealth Games for sale.

Other Commonwealth Games Events

• Commonwealth Youth Games — for athletes aged 14 to 18 from the 71 Commonwealth countries.
• Commonwealth Winter Games — winter version of the Commonwealth Games, held in St. Moritz, Switzerland from 1958-1966.
• Commonwealth Paraplegic Games — held alongside the Commonwealth Games from 1962 to 1974.

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Related Pages

• Commonwealth Games Videos
• Collecting Commonwealth Games coins
• Olympic Games
• Other major world sporting events