Esports set for 2026 Games

COMMONWEALTH GAMES chiefs have confirmed that esports is likely to join the programme in 2026. Competitive gaming will appear in Birmingham as a demonstration sport, with the Esports Championships taking place next weekend.

But it is now fully expected that esports will be included on the main schedule for Victoria 2026. Commonwealth Games Federation president Dame Louise Martin said: ‘If we weren’t going to be doing it, we wouldn’t be doing the pilot. We would never have given them permission to showcase this in the middle of our Games.’

CGF chief executive Katie Sadleir added: ‘The Commonwealth Esports Championships is an example of how we want to embrace the youth of the Commonwealth. We signed a long-term commitment with the Global Esports Federation and there are some really good wins for us in terms of working closely with them.’

Sportsmail revealed earlier this week that the International Olympic Committee are sending observers to the esports event with an eye on including it in future Olympics.