By: Kadija Haja Bundu
Glasgow 2026 and Commonwealth Sport have appointed UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) to run the anti-doping programme for this summer’s Commonwealth Games — a move designed to protect the event’s reputational asset and reassure stakeholders that the competition is built on a level playing field.
The Games, running July 23 to August 2, will host athletes from 74 nations across ten sports, including six fully integrated Para sports, at four venues. UKAD will lead an intelligence-led, risk-based testing programme featuring both in- and out-of-competition urine and blood tests. For the first time at a Commonwealth Games, Dry Blood Spot (DBS) testing will be deployed.
Approximately 50 doping control personnel and 80 chaperone volunteers will work alongside UKAD staff. A pre-Games Anti-Doping Taskforce will provide testing recommendations to all Commonwealth Anti-Doping Organizations and ensure accessible educational resources.
Commonwealth Sport Chief Executive Katie Sadleir said: “A fair and clean environment for athletes is fundamental to the integrity of the Commonwealth Games. We are pleased to partner with UK Anti-Doping, whose expertise and experience will be instrumental in delivering a robust anti-doping programme for Glasgow 2026. Together, we will help ensure athletes can compete with confidence, knowing the Games are built on a level playing field.”
UKAD Chief Executive Jane Rumble added: “Glasgow 2026 is going to be a great sporting event, and UKAD is proud to play a vital role in protecting its integrity alongside Commonwealth Sport. Our goal, as always, is to create a level playing field and to give athletes the opportunity to confidently say ‘this is 100% me’ before stepping up to compete.”
Natalie Cunningham, Glasgow 2026 Director of Sport, said: “We want everyone, from athletes to fans, to have complete confidence in the integrity of the Games. Our partnership with UK Anti-Doping ensures we can make that happen.”
For event hosts, anti-doping credibility directly influences broadcast rights, sponsorship value and participant trust — all critical to the financial viability of multi-sport competitions. The introduction of DBS testing signals a cost-efficient, less invasive innovation that could lower compliance barriers for future host economies.