Watch live streams from the 2026 Commonwealth Games as Josh Kerr, Emma Finucane and Adam Peaty lead a star-studded cast ready to shine for 11 days in Glasgow.
More than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations will compete for 215 gold medals across 10 sports (16 disciplines, including para sports), with the opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro indoor arena kicking off the festivities.
Keep reading to find out how to watch the 2026 Commonwealth Games online from anywhere, starting with these FREE options.
Can I watch the 2026 Commonwealth Games for free?
Yes! The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be broadcast live and free to many countries around the world, with the best English-language coverage available in Australia and Canada.
Abroad during the games? You can use NordVPN (try 100% risk-free) to follow all the action for free as if you were at home.
Use a VPN to watch any Commonwealth Games 2026 stream
Taking place from July 23 to August 2, the 2026 Commonwealth Games coincide with the peak summer holiday season. Unfortunately, you may find that your usual streaming options are geoblocked while you are away.
This is where a VPN is convenient: not only does it allow you to access your home streaming services from anywhere, but it also protects you from potential online threats. We recommend NordVPN – it does it all and will unblock any free streaming service so you can watch the action.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple:
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you want to connect to in the VPN app. For example, if you are visiting the United States and want to check out your regular Australian service, you would select an Australia-based server from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head over to your usual local streaming service and watch the matches.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in the United States
Live streams of the 2026 Commonwealth Games are broadcast beIN SPORTS in the United States.
In the United States, fans can watch every second on beIN SPORTS CONNECT. This will also give you access to the main beIN Sports channel which will feature key action live.
beIN SPORTS subscriptions are available starting at $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year.
Outside the United States during the Commonwealth Games? To use NordVPN to access your beIN SPORTS streams.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Canada
Radio-Canada has the right to broadcast the 2026 Commonwealth Games for FREE.
You can watch some events on TV via the free CBC Sports channel or, for much more live and on-demand coverage, head to its website. The crown jewel of CBC streaming platform.
If you’re not in Canada for the games, simply use a VPN to connect from abroad.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in the UK and Ireland
Coverage of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in the UK and Ireland will be provided by TNT Sports.
TNT Sports is the live broadcast partner for the games in the UK and Ireland and will broadcast each event on its streaming partner. HBO Max.
Plans start at £25.99 per month, with rolling subscriptions available at £30.99.
If you just want to watch the highlights, these will be streamed for free on Channel 5 every day.
Make sure to use NordVPN if you are out of Blighty or Ireland during the games.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Australia
Australian fans can watch live coverage of the 2026 Commonwealth Games for free on Channel 7 and its streaming site 7More.
If you are currently outside Australia but want to watch free Commonwealth Games live streams, you will need to get a VPN according to the instructions above.
2026 Commonwealth Games Preview
Kerr arrives in Glasgow after breaking the world record for the men’s mile in London last Saturday, clocking 3 minutes 42.66 seconds. The Scot is aiming for gold in the return of the historic Commonwealth Mile, as he aims to add another medal to his World Championships gold in 2023 and his Olympic silver from two years ago.
The athletics team also includes England’s Zharnel Hughes in the 200m, global superstars Shericka Jackson and Andre De Grasse representing Jamaica and Canada respectively in the 4x100m relays, and a highly anticipated javelin showdown between India’s Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, the two most recent Olympic champions.
Welsh rocket Emma Finucane is one to watch in track cycling, with the 23-year-old aiming to add Commonwealth glory in the women’s sprint to her Olympic, World and European gold medals. Focus will also be on Matthew Richardson, who won gold in the sprint and team sprint for Australia in Birmingham four years ago but has since switched allegiance to England, the country of his birth.
In the pool, Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Adam Peaty competes in the 50m and 100m breaststroke events as he looks to make waves for England. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Chad Le Clos – who beat Michael Phelps to win gold in the 200m butterfly at London 2012 – needs a medal to become the most decorated male athlete in Commonwealth Games history, having already been on the podium 18 times.
When do the 2026 Commonwealth Games start?
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place from Thursday July 23 to Sunday August 2.
The Opening Ceremony kicks off the festivities on Thursday 23 July at 8pm BST / 3pm ET / 12pm PT / 5am AEST (Friday).
What sports are included in the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
- Athletics and para-athletics
- Swimming and para-swimming
- Artistic Gymnastics
- Track cycling and para-cycling
- Netball
- Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting
- Boxing
- Judo
- Boules and para-boules
- 3×3 basketball and 3×3 wheelchair basketball
Can I watch the 2026 Commonwealth Games on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access via mobile apps or through your phone’s browser to live stream the Commonwealth Games, for example TNT Sports in the UK.
You can also stay up to date with all the happenings of the 2026 Commonwealth Games on official social media channels such as on X (@Glasgow_2026), Instagram (@glasgow_2026) and YouTube (@CommonwealthGames).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy abroad. We do not support or condone illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consumption of paid pirated content is not endorsed or endorsed by Future Publishing.
