His Majesty The King is set to officially launch the inaugural Commonwealth Sport King’s Baton Relay for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day.
The momentous event will mark the start of a global relay journey celebrating sport, sustainability, and unity across the 74 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.
The King, who serves as Patron of Commonwealth Sport, will place his Message to the Commonwealth inside the first Baton before handing it to Sir Chris Hoy, the legendary six-time Olympic cycling champion and the first Batonbearer. The launch will also feature prominent athletes and figures, including Sammi Kinghorn MBE, a Paralympic and Commonwealth medal-winning wheelchair racer, Keiran Healy, a Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics project volunteer, and Gabriella Wood, a Trinidadian Commonwealth Judoka. Other notable participants include Sarah Adlington, a two-time Commonwealth gold medalist, and Kadeena Cox OBE, a Paralympic sprinting champion.
Unlike previous relays, each of the 74 Commonwealth nations and territories will receive its own Baton, specially crafted in Glasgow and designed to be customised by local artists, schools, and athletes. This innovative approach allows for cultural expression while eliminating the need for costly international handovers and reducing environmental impact.
The Caribbean will be the first region to host the Baton Relay, starting with Trinidad and Tobago on March 11, 2025. The Baton will then travel through:
Africa (June–October 2025)
Asia (October–December 2025)
Oceania (January–March 2026)
Americas (March–May 2026)
Europe (May–July 2026)
The relay will culminate at the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on July 23, 2026.
In a landmark partnership with the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), the relay will also support the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, an initiative aimed at preventing one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waters. As part of the campaign, athletes and communities will participate in plastic clean-up drives across all participating nations.
Chris Jenkins, President of Commonwealth Sport, highlighted the significance of this year’s relay, stating:
“The King’s Baton Relay is reimagined for a new era, celebrating diversity, culture, and sustainability while uniting the Commonwealth through sport.”
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place from July 23 to August 2, 2026, featuring a leaner, more sustainable format that maximizes existing infrastructure. With a budget of £114 million, the event is primarily funded by the Commonwealth Games Federation (£100M), commercial revenues, and sponsorships, ensuring minimal reliance on public funding.
For more updates, check out the Commonwealth Sport website here.