Commonwealth Games 2026 on TV: Here's how to watch every second of the action in Glasgow for just £4.99

Last time the city held the event in 2014 it was a huge success - with many hailing it as the best Games ever.

This year it’s been scaled back somewhat after Glasgow stepped in at the last minute when Victoria in Australia abandoned plans to host due to spiraling costs.

But there will still be lots to enjoy, with around 3,000 athletes from 74 nations competing across 10 different sports, from boxing to swimming.

Read more: Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026: Full 10 day schedule announced - here's what to watch and when

You can still buy tickets for many of the events here, but if you’d rather just sit on the sofa the full event can be watched on television from the comfort of your own home.

But many people have been feeling confused after being unable to find the Games on their television schedule.

Here’s everything you need to know to be an armchair Commonwealth Games fan.

Why are the Commonwealth Games not on the BBC?

Many viewers assumed that they would be able to watch the Games on the BBC - after all, the corporation have broadcast free-to-air coverage of the last 18 Games going back to 1954.

But this year, for the first time, the BBC lost the rights after being outbid by TNT Sports, who have reportedly paid around £5 million to secure coverage.

A spokesperson said: "The BBC has been proud to broadcast the Commonwealth Games over many years, but our bid was unable to match the financial offer from the market.”

What is TNT Sports?

TNT Sports is a major sports broadcasting brand created by a joint venture between Warner Bros. Discovery and BT Group launched in July 2023. It replaced BT Sport in the UK.

How can I watch the Commonwealth Games on TNT Sports?

You can access every minute of the Commonwealth Games for just £4.99 via an HBO Max and can also watch on a variety of streaming platforms as follows:

• HBO Max: Every event will be available exclusively live across all subscription plans, including TNT Sports 2 (The Commonwealth Games 360) and all live event streams. Further details on plans and pricing can be found here. Only TNT Sports plan subscribers in the U.K will have access to additional TNT Sports channels.
• EE TV: Customers can enjoy all the action via TNT Sports on HBO Max dependent on their subscription type.
• Sky: Customers can enjoy the full Commonwealth Games experience on TNT Sports, and HBO Max, dependent on their subscription.
• NOW: Customers can access the Commonwealth Games 360 channel via TNT Sports 2 with a Now Entertainment & HBO Max Membership, and in Ireland via TNT Sports.
• Virgin Media TV UK and Ireland: TNT Sports customers can watch the coverage via their set top box (as well as via HBO Max in the UK).
• Prime Video: In the UK: Coverage is available via a TNT Sports subscription. TNT Sports 2 and all live event streams also available on any HBO Max subscription.
• Roku, Samsung, Amazon Fire TV: Coverage available via a TNT Sports subscription. Customers can also access TNT Sports 2 and all live event streams via any HBO Max subscription.

What is the cheapest way to watch the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on television?

Put simply, if you buy a £4.99-a-month HBO Max subcription you will be able to watch the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

What Commonwealth Games coverage will TNT Sports be offering?

In a brand-new innovation, the Commonwealth Games 360 channel on TNT Sports 2 and HBO Max, will deliver a first-of-its-kind broadcast experience for the Commonwealth Games.

Live every day from 8.30am-10.30pm, the dedicated channel will ensure viewers never miss the biggest moments by moving seamlessly between competition venues as the action unfolds.

Alongside live competition, fans can enjoy expert analysis, athlete interviews, breaking news and behind-the-scenes stories throughout the day. Radzi Chinyanganya, Becky Ives and Emma Dodds will steer the coverage throughout the day.

For viewers wanting to focus on individual sports, dedicated live event coverage will also be available across TNT Sports 3 and TNT Sports 4, alongside multiple live event streams on HBO Max.

Daily highlights will be available from 10.30pm on TNT Sports 2 directly following the conclusion of the live action.

HBO Max will give viewers the flexibility to follow the Games in the way that suits their viewing preferences, with features designed to help fans follow every key moment across simultaneous events. Together, combined with multiple live event feeds, HBO Max will provide the most flexible and personalised Commonwealth Games streaming experience ever, including:

• Multiview, the true never-miss-a-moment function, allowing viewers to watch up to four live events simultaneously on one screen – perfect for days packed with unmissable action.

• In-Player Alerts, will notify users of key action happening in real-time outside their current viewing, whether medal moments or exciting action unfolding, ensuring fans can seamlessly switch between coverage to follow all their local heroes.

• Key Moments, will allow fans to customise their viewing, enabling them to seamlessly transition between the most crucial action to re-live the drama again and again across key sports and events.

Will any other television channels be showing the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games?

Even if you don’t have access to TNT Sports you can still enjoy watching some of the sports from Glasgow.

Channel 5 are offering a daily highlights show - the first one will be on at 10.30pm on Friday, July 24 and is hosted by former Olympic sprinter Jeanette Kwakye.

Limited live coverage and highlights will also be available on Gaelic language broadcaster BBC Alba and on BBC iPlayer every night.

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