The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony will lift the curtain on the UK’s biggest sporting event, taking over the iconic Hydro arena. From 12:00 today (18 May), fans from across Glasgow, Scotland and the world can sign up for their chance to access tickets to one of most unforgettable moments of the Games.
Tickets for the ceremony are expected to be in high demand, and a dedicated ticket draw has been created. Fans need to sign up to gain access to buy tickets, providing them with a fair opportunity to be at the highly anticipated show.
On 23 July, the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, presented by Longines, will be the opening act for 10 days of world-class sporting competition and will welcome thousands of athletes as the Batons from 74 nations and territories come together. Creative elements of the show will be performed by a local cast of 600 and headline talent designed to take the audience on a journey through the city, Scotland and the Commonwealth.
Registered fans will be selected at random for the chance to purchase tickets and those who are successful will be notified on Monday 1 June. Fans will be able to buy up to four tickets the following day.
There are four ticket price categories for the ceremony – Cat D: £45, Cat C: £95, Cat B: £145 and Cat A: £195 for adults, with concession prices available from £34 to £146. Tickets will be released on 2 June.
George Black CBE, Chair at Glasgow 2026, said: “The Opening Ceremony marks the moment we welcome athletes from across the Commonwealth to Glasgow. Gathered in The Hydro, we will share a story of how this incredible city has contributed to the world.
“By entering the ticket draw, we want to give people the opportunity to watch the live action unfold as the Commonwealth comes together in one place to mark the start of the Games.”
Louisa Mahon, Chief Marketing and Ceremonies Officer at Glasgow 2026, said: “Glasgow doesn’t do parties quietly and this Opening Ceremony will take that to a new level. For the first time in Commonwealth Games’ history, we’re taking the entire show indoors and transforming The Hydro into a fast-paced, immersive live experience packed with energy, surprises and spectacle.
“This is not a ceremony you will want to watch from a distance. It’s a ceremony you will want to be a part of and feel. With incredible dance and performance, headline acts, breathtaking visuals and the arrival of all 74 Batons from across the Commonwealth, the audience will be surrounded by icons and heroes of the Games from the very first moment.