After a successful debut at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, organizers are backtracking their decision to make esports a medal event. The BBC is reporting that this discipline will not be featured as a medal event at the next Commonwealth Games in 2026.
Esports was featured as a pilot event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England that ran from late July to early August. Despite the Commonwealth Games Federation reportedly calling the introduction of esports a success, organizers for the next games taking place in Victoria, Australia, have elected not to feature esports during the competition series.
The BBC, the CGF, and the Global Esports Federation all reportedly requested reasons why the Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee turned its back on esports. However, the organization has refused to give a specific reason for its change of heart. One source that spoke to the BBC claimed doping in esports may have been a factor.
“While they weren’t successful this time, the Commonwealth Games Federation and Global Esports Federation will keep working on an inclusion pathway for this growing sport,” said a spokesperson for the 2026 Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee.
As previously mentioned, the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in Australia from March 17th, 2026 to March 29th, 2026. At this time, it is believed that 21 sports will be featured during this competition series.
(All information was provided by BBC, GamesIndustry.biz, SportsPro Media, and Wikipedia [1,2])
0 comments on “Commonwealth Games Reversing Esports Decision”