Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games - Western Sydney University expert available on legacy, relevance and future

Emeritus Professor David Rowe from Western Sydney University’s Institute for Culture and Society, is available to comment on the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, being held in Scotland from 23 July to 2 August.

Professor Rowe, an internationally respected sociologist, can discuss the cultural and political significance of the Games, including its changing identity, challenges around future host cities, and the role of para sport.

Reflecting on the Opening Ceremony, Professor Rowe says the event highlighted the Commonwealth Games’ complex history, while also raising questions about its future and relevance.

“Having King Charles III and Queen Camilla emerge from Dr Who’s Tardis to launch the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow was an audacious if not rather risky move. This was, after all, once the British Empire Games, and there always seems to be an element of time travel in them. And all this was taking place in Scotland, which in 2014 held a referendum to sever its connection with the United Kingdom and the British crown,” said Professor Rowe.

“The last two Commonwealth Games have been handed back by the original hosts, Durban (being transferred to Birmingham, England) and Victoria. The latter involved an expensive game of pass the parcel, costing the State $589 million in compensation. The Glasgow Games are much reduced in scale since they were last held in the city in 2014. Para athletes, though, will be more prominent than ever, with a record number of medals to be won by them despite the Games being smaller overall.”

“With some analysts fearing an existential crisis, the Commonwealth Games Federation and the over 70 Commonwealth participating nations will hope that the event will be substantially revived in Ahmedabad in 2030. But the appearance at the Opening Ceremony of the Loch Ness monster may not augur well for the Games’ future. There has never been a confirmed sighting of “Nessie” other than as a stage prop, and the Commonwealth Games will be keen not to share the fate of the elusive mythical beast.”

Emeritus Professor David Rowe is a cultural researcher at the Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University and a Fellow of both the Australian Academy of the Humanities and the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, with honorary appointments at the Universities of Bath and London, UK and Beijing Foreign Studies University, China.

To arrange an interview, please contact media@westernsydney.edu.au.

ENDS.

24 July 2026
Media Unit

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