Government to fund Glasgow 2026 cultural events - but not the Games

The Scottish government has committed funding towards cultural events around the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, after stating it would not spend "a single penny" on the Games themselves.

The government, along with other organisations, is putting money towards the Glasgow 2026 Festival.

Health Secretary Neil Gray previously told BBC Scotland News there will be no public funding for the "delivery" of the Games, which run from 23 July until 2 August.

However the Scottish government has now confirmed it is contributing £250,000 towards the festival - which will feature a programme of creative projects, family friendly events and community activities.

The Glasgow 2026 Festival, according to its website, is a "celebration of sport, culture and community", and will be held between 23 May and 9 August.

The festival states it will focus on the themes of "gathering, celebration and social justice".

Initially, the fund for the festival was £250,000 and community and voluntary groups were encouraged to apply for grants of up to £10,000, with applications closing in January.

The organisers of the festival said it received over 400 requests, so a decision was made to increase its funding by £1m, to £1.25m.

Commonwealth Sport provided the initial £250,000 and will increase its pledge to £500,000.

BBC Scotland understands Glasgow City Council and sportscotland will now both contribute £250,000 along with the Scottish government, taking the total to £1.25m.

The health secretary said the festival fund will be an example of benefits to Glasgow that "extend far beyond the Games."

He said it will let residents in the city "participate in arts, sports and cultural activities" during the summer.

Most events will be free to attend.

A scaled-down version of the event, featuring fewer sports and athletes, will return to the city 12 years after it last hosted the Games.

In September 2024, when pledging its support for Glasgow to host the Games, the Scottish government outlined its position regarding financing.

Gray said a "substantial contingency" was in place thanks to funding from Commonwealth Games Scotland, Commonwealth Games Australia - the country which withdrew as hosts - and the Commonwealth Games Federation, the governing body of the Games now known as Commonwealth Sport.

"We've been interrogating this to a very great degree over the last couple of months to make sure there is no call upon the Scottish government finance," Gray told BBC Scotland News at the time.

He said the Games will bring in around £150m of economic benefit and helping support local businesses and jobs, with no public funding required from the Scottish government.

Susan Aitken, the leader of Glasgow City Council, said festival events will take place in every council ward across the city.

Katie Sadleir, Commonwealth Sport's chief executive, added that the festival fund would ensure the Games are felt across the whole city.

She stated: " It will help more people experience the games on their doorstep and be part of a truly memorable summer for Glasgow."

A total of 10 sports will take place across four venues in the city during the Games themselves, with an opening ceremony slated to be held at the OVO Hydro venue.