TNT Sports has secured exclusive UK media rights to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, beating long-time rights holder the BBC for the first time in the event’s history. This marks the first time the quadrennial Games will sit behind a paywall in the UK, ending a tradition of comprehensive free-to-air coverage.
The broadcaster, owned by Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), will show more than 600 hours of live action across a dedicated TNT Sports linear channel and the HBO Max streaming service, which is due to launch in the UK in March. Commonwealth Sport accepted WBD’s more lucrative offer, prioritising guaranteed revenue over the broader free-to-air exposure previously offered by the BBC.
The BBC did bid for the 2026 rights but could not match the financial value of WBD’s proposal amid ongoing budget pressures and questions over the Games’ pulling power. The corporation has historically been the home of the Commonwealth Games for UK audiences, broadcasting Birmingham 2022 and Glasgow 2014 with extensive multi-platform coverage.
Despite losing live rights, the BBC is still expected to play a role because the Commonwealth Games is listed as a ‘Category B’ protected event, meaning free-to-air highlights must be made available. This opens the door for the BBC, or another free-to-air broadcaster, to offer at least some coverage to non-subscribing audiences.
Commonwealth Sport has framed the WBD deal as evidence that the movement is in a much healthier position than during the recent hosting crises. The organisation had faced serious questions about the Games’ viability after Durban and Victoria withdrew from hosting the 2022 and 2026 editions and potential replacement cities proved hard to find.
Birmingham stepped in to deliver a successful 2022 Games, while Glasgow agreed to host a scaled-down 2026 edition with just two years’ notice. Interest from future hosts is now said to be stronger, with India set to stage the 2030 Games, seen as a potential stepping stone towards a 2036 Olympic bid, and “strong interest” reported for 2034.
For Warner Bros Discovery, Glasgow 2026 strengthens an already significant multi-sport portfolio that includes European rights to the Olympic Games and coverage of world and European championships in many core Commonwealth sports. The Commonwealth Games will act as an anchor event for its summer schedule, supporting WBD’s strategy of using major events to drive streaming and subscription growth.
Scott Young, executive vice president at WBD Sports Europe, said the broadcaster would bring its “storytelling heritage and production expertise” to deliver comprehensive and immersive coverage from Glasgow. He promised coverage of every sport and athlete across streaming platforms, with a strong emphasis on athlete storytelling to bring fans closer to the Games.
Commonwealth Sport chief executive Kate Sadleir described the deal as a “landmark moment” in efforts to reimagine what the Games “looks and feels like” for athletes and fans. She highlighted the combination of a heavyweight broadcast partner across the UK and Europe and renewed hosting interest as signs that “the future of our movement has never been more secure”.
The partnership with WBD is expected to open up new ways for fans to engage with Glasgow 2026, with more live events available and a stronger focus on narrative-driven content around athletes. While the move behind a paywall will spark debate about accessibility, organisers argue the additional investment and enhanced storytelling will leave the Games better placed to thrive in a crowded sports media landscape.
