The Hydro announced as Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony host

The Hydro has been announced as the host of the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow this summer, with organisers guaranteeing an "amazing" show with "plenty of surprises".

A search for 700 volunteers to take part in the cast has started, with people encouraged to apply before the deadline on 24 April.

It had not been confirmed that there would even be an opening ceremony due to the nature of the "re-imagined" Games, which were only given to Glasgow in Autumn 2024.

Glasgow 2026's chief marketing and ceremonies officer Louisa Mahon claimed it was never in doubt.

Mahon said: "We will have a spectacular Opening Ceremony to these games.

"With 125 days to go it feels like the right moment.

"For over a decade some of the best global acts have stepped on the Hydro stage and what an amazing opportunity for people in Glasgow to be part of that and be part of that journey.

"It will be an amazing opening to what is going to be an incredible 10 days of sporting action."

It is the first ceremony at a Games to be staged in an inside arena rather than an outdoor stadium.

Due to the late assignment of the host city, the Games will be much more condensed, with only 10 different sports and six para sports on display.

Staging Director Roxana Cole said the show will embrace the different aspect of the competition: "We are totally responding to this reinvented Commonwealth Games.

"We are trying to showcase Glasgow and its diversity and have it shown in the Ceremony.

"We are recreating something but with all of the beautiful things you usually expect from an opening ceremony."

The competing will take place from 23 July to 2 August, with more than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations competing in four venues across the city.

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