India is set to begin its Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign in Glasgow with a 126-member contingent aiming to make a strong impression despite a significantly reduced sporting programme. The Games officially get underway on July 23, with several of India’s biggest stars preparing to compete across athletics, weightlifting, boxing, swimming, gymnastics, judo, lawn bowls and para sports.

Unlike previous editions, Glasgow 2026 features only 10 sports after organisers opted for a compact, cost-effective format. Traditional medal-rich disciplines for India, including wrestling, shooting, badminton and hockey, are absent, making every remaining event crucial in the country’s pursuit of medals.

Officials are targeting a haul of around 30 medals, nearly half of the 61 medals India won at Birmingham 2022, while also using the event as valuable preparation for the Asian Games later this year.

India banking on star athletes

India’s challenge will be led by Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Mirabai Chanu, world championship medallist Lovlina Borgohain, high jumper Tejaswin Shankar, long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, sprinter Animesh Kujur, and several experienced athletes across para sports and weightlifting.

Among the biggest medal contenders are:

• Neeraj Chopra – Men’s Javelin Throw
• Mirabai Chanu – Women’s 49kg Weightlifting
• Lovlina Borgohain – Boxing
• Murali Sreeshankar – Men’s Long Jump
• Tejaswin Shankar – Decathlon
• Bindyarani Devi – Weightlifting
• Gurindervir Singh – Men’s 100m
• Parul Chaudhary – 3000m Steeplechase & 5000m
• Srihari Natraj – Swimming
• Sajan Prakash – Butterfly

Commonwealth Games 2026 timings in India

Most competitions will take place in two windows for Indian viewers:

• Afternoon session: 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM IST
• Evening medal session: 8:30 PM to around 2:15 AM IST

The evening schedule will feature the majority of finals and medal events.

India’s complete date-wise schedule

July 24

• Swimming heats and finals (qualification dependent)
• Men’s Gymnastics Team Final
• Boxing Round 1
• Para Powerlifting medal events
• Lawn Bowls sectional matches

July 25

• Women’s Gymnastics Team Final
• Lovlina Borgohain begins boxing campaign
• Swimming heats and finals
• 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball
• Lawn Bowls

July 26

• Mirabai Chanu – Women’s 49kg Weightlifting Final
• Men’s 60kg and 65kg Weightlifting Finals
• Gymnastics Individual All-Around Finals
• Boxing
• Wheelchair Basketball

July 27

• Athletics begins
• Murali Sreeshankar, Gurindervir Singh and Tejas Shirse in action
• High Jump Final
• Para Athletics medal events
• Women’s 53kg & 58kg Weightlifting Finals
• Men’s 79kg Weightlifting Final
• Sajan Prakash in swimming
• Boxing and Lawn Bowls

July 28

• Gulveer Singh – Men’s 10,000m Final
• Women’s High Jump Final
• Men’s 100m Final (qualification dependent)
• Women’s 69kg Weightlifting Final
• Gymnastics apparatus finals
• Boxing quarter-finals

July 29

• Murali Sreeshankar – Long Jump Final
• Parul Chaudhary – 3000m Steeplechase Final
• Women’s Shot Put Final
• Para Athletics medal events
• Multiple swimming finals
• Gymnastics
• Wheelchair Basketball Finals
• Boxing quarter-finals

July 30

• Neeraj Chopra begins Javelin qualifiers
• Tejaswin Shankar starts Decathlon
• Shot Put Final
• Women’s Discus Final
• Women’s 5000m Final
• Heavyweight Weightlifting Finals
• Track Cycling

July 31

• Neeraj Chopra – Men’s Javelin Final
• Men’s 400m Hurdles Final
• Men’s 200m Final
• Decathlon concludes
• Judo begins
• Boxing semi-finals
• Track Cycling

August 1

• Triple Jump Final
• Men’s 400m Final
• Women’s 10km Race Walk
• Mixed 4x400m Relay Final
• Pole Vault Final
• Men’s 5000m Final
• Boxing Finals
• Judo medal events

August 2

• Lawn Bowls medal matches
• Final day of Judo
• Track Cycling medal events

India’s biggest medal opportunities

India’s strongest medal hopes are expected in:

• Weightlifting
• Athletics
• Boxing
• Para Powerlifting
• Para Athletics
• Judo
• Lawn Bowls

With several traditional medal-winning sports absent, strong performances from established stars and emerging athletes will be essential if India hopes to reach its projected tally of around 30 medals.

Key Highlights

• India has sent a 126-member contingent to Glasgow.
• Commonwealth Games 2026 features only 10 sports.
• India is targeting around 30 medals.
• Neeraj Chopra’s javelin final is scheduled for July 31.
• Mirabai Chanu competes for gold on July 26.
• Lovlina Borgohain begins her boxing campaign on July 25.
• Athletics events begin on July 27.
• Most medal events will take place during late evening and night in IST.

FAQs

When does India’s Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign begin?

India’s campaign begins on July 23, with competitions continuing until August 2 in Glasgow.

Which Indian athletes are the biggest medal contenders?

Neeraj Chopra, Mirabai Chanu, Lovlina Borgohain, Murali Sreeshankar, Tejaswin Shankar, Bindyarani Devi and Parul Chaudhary are among India’s leading medal hopes.

Which sports are missing from Commonwealth Games 2026?

Wrestling, shooting, badminton and hockey are not part of the Glasgow 2026 programme.

When is Neeraj Chopra competing?

Neeraj Chopra will compete in the men’s javelin qualifiers on July 30, with the final scheduled for July 31, subject to qualification.

How many medals is India expected to win?

Officials expect India to win around 30 medals, lower than the 61 medals secured at Birmingham 2022 due to the reduced number of sports.