The stadium will be host to the athletics during the scaled-back version of the Commonwealth Games
With the 2026 Commonwealth Games officially set for Glasgow, Scotstoun is poised to take center stage as it hosts the athletics in the scaled-back event.
Known for its distinctive blue track, the stadium plans to expand its capacity from 4765 to accommodate 10,000-11,000 spectators with temporary seating.
The decision to host the Games in Glasgow follows the withdrawal of the Australian state of Victoria due to rising costs.
Glasgow Set to Host Unique Version of the Games at Scotstoun Stadium
Glasgow has a strong track record in hosting the event, having successfully managed the Games in 2014 with the athletics taking place at Hampden.
Hampden accommodated 40,000 athletics fans while the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham welcomed 30,000 for the Games in 2022.
Scotstoun’s more intimate setting will be a unique atmosphere as the smaller version of the Games will be distinctly different.
Scotstoun Stadium (Getty)
AW spoke with Jon Doig OBE, the Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation Scotland at the official launch of the Games in Glasgow. He said: “We have been working on this for just under 12 months, looking over it in terms of the concept and if we could go through and deliver it.
“The earliest thing we had to look at was athletics and whether we could deliver athletics in Scotstoun Stadium and the answer we got back in terms of feasibility was yes Glasgow.
“We already have a main stand at Scotstoun but the rest of the seats will be wrapped around with temporary seating.
“The temporary seating will take the number to 10,000-11,000 and in that aspect, we can create a brilliant atmosphere when the athletes are competing and running around Glasgow.”
Dwain Chambers (Getty)
Scotstoun Stadium: A Historic Venue for Scottish Athletics and International Competitions
The stadium’s historical legacy in athletics dates back to the late 1890s when it first hosted cross-country events.
From 1903 to 1913, the Scottish National Cross Country Championships took place annually at Scotstoun, except for 1907, when they were held in Portobello, Edinburgh Glasgow.
It has also been the home of Victoria Park AAC since its foundation in 1930.
Since its renovation with the all-weather track in the mid-90s, the stadium has hosted numerous prestigious events Glasgow.
The British Milers’ Club held grand prix meetings at the stadium in 1999, 2000, and 2001, attracting top athletes from the UK.
International events were also held, including in 2000, when Great Britain and Northern Ireland took on the USA, in 2003, Great Britain and Northern Ireland v USA v Russia, and in 2005, the same three nations challenged each other again Glasgow.
The stadium also welcomed the Scottish Senior Championships from 2001 to 2007 and various other competitions, including the Combined Events Championships (2002) and the Masters Championships (2006).
The last major event held at the Glasgow stadium was the Norwich Union Glasgow Grand Prix in 2007. In 2014, the stadium was used as a training venue for the Commonwealth Games.
Kelly Holmes (Getty)
Today, Scotstoun remains the home of Victoria Park AAC, but it also shares the space with Glasgow Warriors rugby club, which has become prominent in recent years.
The focus on rugby has limited the staging of large-scale events, as the Warriors require exclusive access for their fixtures, often setting up temporary stands on the track Glasgow.
However, the announcement of Scotstoun as the host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games could signify a shift in this trend. As Doig says: “Scotstoun has a very long history of athletics and it has been there for over 100 years in different ways and hosting international events Glasgow.
“It is great that we can bring athletics back to the stadium and hopefully we will be able to leave a legacy there as well for athletics Glasgow.
“It will be a completely different Games compared to 2014. We are in different times, but it will still be exciting and a world-class event. This is a reset and re-imagination Glasgow.
“This will not only inspire the athletes competing to get good performances but also inspire the youngsters who will be in the crowds feeling inspired Glasgow.
“We’ve had a number of our athletes that were in the stands in 2014 now making Scottish and GB teams so we look forward to that stimulus being there in the future.”
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