BBC Loses Commonwealth Games Broadcasting Rights for First Time in 76 Years

The BBC will not broadcast any coverage of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, ending a 76-year association with the event that dates back to 1950.

The multi-sport event, returning to Scotland next month, marks the first time since the games were first televised that the BBC has secured no rights for live or highlights.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT Sports will provide extensive live coverage broadcasting approximately 600 hours of action across the 11-day competition.

The BBC had previously held exclusive UK television rights and delivered record coverage during the 2022 edition in Birmingham. This change reflects the intense competition and rising costs in the sports broadcasting market.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will feature athletes from 72 nations and territories competing in a range of Olympic and Paralympic-style disciplines.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​