More than 150 business leaders and representatives gathered in Glasgow city centre this week as preparations accelerate for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Hosted by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Glasgow 2026 at 200 St Vincent Street, the event brought together companies from across the city to outline plans for the Games period and highlight the significant economic opportunities expected to accompany one of Scotland’s biggest sporting events.
With the Games designed around a compact city-centre footprint, organisers believe Glasgow is uniquely positioned to maximise benefits for local businesses. Four competition venues will sit within an eight-mile corridor, creating a concentrated hub of activity expected to drive footfall across the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods.
More than 700,000 people are anticipated to be in Glasgow during the Games, including athletes, officials, volunteers and visitors from 74 competing nations and territories. In addition, more than 800 accredited international journalists will report from the city, placing Glasgow firmly on the global stage and offering a major platform to showcase its business, hospitality and cultural offering.
Central to preparations is the launch of the ‘All In’ campaign, which is encouraging businesses of all sizes to engage with the event and capitalise on the influx of visitors. A key element of the initiative is the Get-Set Hub, a digital portal providing practical guidance on transport planning, road closures, marketing opportunities and visitor insights.
The Games will also coincide with an expanded Glasgow 2026 Festival, running until 9 August. The programme includes flagship events such as Glasgow Mela and the Merchant City Festival, alongside major commissions and ‘come and try’ sporting activities. The festival is expected to generate additional opportunities for hospitality, retail and leisure operators across the city.
The wider economic potential is considerable. Event tourism contributes around £6 billion annually to the Scottish economy and accounts for approximately half of all visitor spending nationwide.
Alison McRae, senior director at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Commonwealth Games presents a significant opportunity for businesses across Glasgow. There is a real sense of excitement and ambition as we prepare to welcome the world to our city.
“Glasgow is recognised globally as a leading host of major events, and Glasgow 2026 provides another opportunity to build on that reputation. The Games has already helped to create jobs and support local businesses, and hosting this important Commonwealth event allows us to showcase everything that makes Glasgow such a vibrant and dynamic city while attracting further investment.
“We are encouraging businesses of all sizes to get involved through the All-In campaign. With the right preparation, the economic benefits can be fully realised across the city.”
Phil Batty OBE, chief executive of Glasgow 2026, said the Games would not only deliver a global showcase but also tangible local impact.
“We are ready to welcome thousands of athletes and fans from across the Commonwealth to Glasgow this summer and are now in the final stretch of preparation,” he said. “The business community will play a critical role in making these Games a success for all.
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“Through the All In campaign, we will shine a spotlight on what Glasgow businesses are already doing brilliantly, while maximising the increased footfall and international attention the Games will bring.
“The opportunity for businesses is enormous. We want the impact of these Games to be felt well beyond the sporting venues, reaching communities and sectors across the city.”
Businesses looking to get involved are encouraged to sign up to the All In campaign via the Glasgow 2026 website.
