A Historical Overview of the Commonwealth Games Hosting Countries

New Delhi, July 20: The Commonwealth Games began in 1930, initiated by the British Empire. Initially known as the “British Empire Games,” it included countries that were either British colonies or had been colonized before.

These games are held every four years, although they were not conducted in 1942 and 1946 due to World War II.

Undivided India participated in the Commonwealth Games in 1934 and 1938 under British rule. However, following independence in 1947, India and Pakistan competed as separate nations. Bangladesh joined as a new country in 1971 after gaining independence from Pakistan. Six countries—Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland, and Wales—have consistently participated in the Commonwealth Games.

In 1930, the inaugural event featured 11 countries: Canada, Australia, Bermuda, British Guiana, England, Ireland, Newfoundland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales. Since then, the number of participating nations has steadily increased. A total of 72 countries took part in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, with Gabon and Togo making their debut this time. The Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 will commence on July 28 and conclude on August 8.

Australia holds the record for hosting the Commonwealth Games the most times, having done so five times (1938, 1962, 1982, 2006, and 2018). Canada follows with four editions (1930, 1954, 1978, and 1994). Scotland will host the games for the fourth time after 1970, 1986, and 2014.

England (1934, 2002, 2022) and New Zealand (1950, 1974, 1990) have each hosted the games three times. India (2010), Malaysia (1998), Jamaica (1996), and Wales (1958) have each hosted them once.

Here is a list of the countries that have hosted the Commonwealth Games:
– 1930: Hamilton, Canada
– 1934: London, England
– 1938: Sydney, Australia
– 1950: Auckland, New Zealand
– 1954: Vancouver, Canada
– 1958: Cardiff, Wales
– 1962: Perth, Australia
– 1966: Kingston, Jamaica
– 1970: Edinburgh, Scotland
– 1974: Christchurch, New Zealand
– 1978: Edmonton, Canada
– 1982: Brisbane, Australia
– 1986: Edinburgh, Scotland
– 1990: Auckland, New Zealand
– 1994: Victoria, Canada
– 1998: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
– 2002: Manchester, England
– 2006: Melbourne, Australia
– 2010: New Delhi, India
– 2014: Glasgow, Scotland
– 2018: Gold Coast, Australia
– 2022: Birmingham, England
– 2026: Glasgow, Scotland