Former Miss World Manushi Chhillar led a performance
The 2026 Commonwealth Games concluded in Glasgow with a vibrant closing ceremony celebrating Scottish culture, sporting achievement and the handover to India.
Thousands of spectators filled the Glasgow Hydro on August 2, 2026, as 11 days of competition came to an end with music, dance, fireworks and performances from Scottish and international artists.
The ceremony also marked the official handover to Ahmedabad, which will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Scottish singer Sandi Thom opened proceedings after the arena began in darkness, illuminated only by phone lights from the audience.
A music video from Cammy Barnes followed before athletes, volunteers and the flags of the 74 competing nations and territories entered the arena.
Australian singer Delta Goodrem performed during the athletes’ procession before joining Barnes for a duet.
The ceremony then shifted focus to India as the Commonwealth Sport flag was lowered ahead of the official handover.
A three-part cultural showcase highlighted India’s heritage through music and dance.
Former Miss World Manushi Chhillar led a performance celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram, India’s national song, alongside dancers in brightly coloured costumes.
The celebrations continued with a musical collaboration between Indian sitarist Rishab Rikhiram and Scottish piper Ross Ainslie.
Their performance blended Indian classical traditions with Scottish music in a modern interpretation of a jugalbandi, accompanied by dancers in gold costumes.
Team Scotland athletes embraced a distinctly Glaswegian tradition by wearing kilts and traffic cone hats, referencing the city’s well-known custom of placing traffic cones on public statues.
The celebration continued with performances from pipers, a brass band and kilted drummers playing the iconic riff from Primal Scream’s ‘Loaded’.
Scottish writer Jackie Kay appeared in a video reading her poem Dear Green Hollow, while Shereen Cutkelvin and folk group Elephant Sessions also took to the stage.
India is ready to host the world at the Commonwealth Games 2030. ?? pic.twitter.com/HRbpOUdDMY
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) August 4, 2026
The Duke of Edinburgh, vice patron of Commonwealth Sport, formally declared the Games closed.
He said:
“On behalf of His Majesty the King our patron, and in the name of Commonwealth Sport, I proclaim Glasgow 2026 closed.”
Scottish rock band Simple Minds then brought the ceremony to an energetic finish with a performance of their hit ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’.
The evening also recognised outstanding sporting achievement. Scottish para-athlete Melanie Woods received the David Dixon Award, presented at every Commonwealth Games to an “outstanding athlete”.
The ceremony brought Glasgow’s successful hosting of the Commonwealth Games to a close while officially passing the baton to Ahmedabad ahead of the 2030 edition.
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