Golf to appear at Commonwealth Games
Golf has been confirmed to appear at the Commonwealth Games for the very first time in 2026.
The sport joins two other new sports – BMX and coastal rowing - on the newly released list for the Games, which take place in the Australian state of Victoria.
Golf Australia Chief Executive, James Sutherland, welcomed the news in an official statement: “This announcement validates golf’s increasing popularity and the enormous growth that the sport has enjoyed over the last three years.
“The Commonwealth Games in 2026 will provide a huge platform to further demonstrate golf’s appeal as a sport for all.”
Karen Lunn, Chief Executive of the WPGA Tour, added: “We’re really excited in particular to see some of our fantastic female players compete alongside the men on this stage. These are the kinds of platforms that we’re seeking to find for our sport and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to make it happen so quickly.”
New eyes on golf
With an estimated TV audience of between 1 and 1.5 billion, the first appearance for golf marks an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the game across the Commonwealth and beyond.
Figures from Syngenta’s report* indicated that 31% of non-golfing females watched golf at the 2016 Olympics, and of those over a quarter stated a desire to try the game having watched it.
The Commonwealth Games are set to contribute more than $3 billion to Victoria’s economy when they are held in March 2026.
