Eddie Kohlhase, High Performance Sport New Zealand’s General Manager – Performance Partnerships, shares his thoughts into how these Games differ from previous editions, their role in preparing athletes for other multi-sport events, including LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032, and their significance for non-Olympic sports.
The Glasgow 2026 Games represent a significant departure from tradition. With 10 sports on the programme featuring 2700 athletes across four venues, this somewhat scaled-down version lacks the expansive, village-style, multi-sport environment that has defined previous Commonwealth Games.
Yet, as Eddie says, the essence of competition remains intact.
“People might focus on the modified version,” he says, “but at the end of the day, competition is competition—and that’s very important.”
While the Games may be smaller in scale, they still offer a critical platform for athletes. For some, Glasgow 2026 will serve as a key milestone in their performance journey, particularly in the early stages of the Olympic/Paralympic cycle. For others, it will be a major event in its own right, especially for sports like Netball and Bowls that don’t feature in the Olympic or Paralympic programmes.
Eddie acknowledges the absence of iconic events like Rugby Sevens, which have traditionally drawn large crowds and media attention. However, he remains optimistic about the opportunity Glasgow presents including traditional Commonwealth Games sports of Athletics, Swimming and Cycling.
These Games also present key competition opportunities for Artistic Gymnastics, Weightlifting, and 3×3 Basketball as well as the combat sports of Boxing and Judo.
In addition six sports will include para events – Cycling, Swimming, Athletics, Bowls, Weightlifting (Power Lifting), Basketball (Wheelchair) and Bowls.
“In true Kiwi spirit we’re thankful for the opportunity,” he says. “Sports will use it to test and challenge themselves—and hopefully come away with some Commonwealth Games medals, which are still very important.”
The athlete experience in Glasgow will differ significantly from past Games. Without the traditional athlete village setup and broader sport representation, the immersive, communal aspect of the Games will be less pronounced.
“It’s more environmental,” Eddie explains. “There may not be the same level of closeness with competitors from other sports, the shared experience of living and competing together.”
Despite these changes, the Games remain a vital part of the athlete development pipeline. For younger or emerging athletes, Glasgow offers a rare chance to gain international experience in a multi-sport setting, an essential stepping stone toward pinnacle event competition.
“It gives our younger pathway athletes the opportunity for international experience in a New Zealand team environment,” Eddie says. “That’s the Olympic/Paralympic Games preparation—the multi-sport environment where you have to manage yourself, expectations, and performance in a very busy setting.”
Whether it is elite athletes using the Games as part of their campaign plan or up-and-comers gaining their first taste of international competition, the intent behind participation is clear and purposeful.
“Sports will take this very seriously, as they always have.”
As the countdown to Glasgow 2026 begins, the focus is not just on medals, but on growth, resilience, and opportunity.
In a year’s time, athletes from across the Commonwealth will gather in Scotland—not only to compete, but also to take another step on their journey toward sporting excellence.
