Sky New Zealand has locked in exclusive domestic broadcast rights for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, a critical acquisition that solidifies its dominance in multi-platform sports coverage across New Zealand and the wider Pacific Islands.
The deal encompasses comprehensive distribution across television, digital streaming, radio, and social platforms. Sky will provide live event coverage through both its core linear channels and its digital platform, Sky Sport Now. Additionally, key moments will be made available via Sky Open, its free-to-air channel, ensuring wider accessibility for New Zealand audiences.
This expanded distribution is not limited to New Zealand. Sky has committed to collaborating with regional partners to bring the Games to Pacific Island nations, reinforcing the broadcaster’s regional footprint.
A Reimagined Games, A Familiar Partner
The 2026 edition, now set to take place in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2, comes after the withdrawal of original host Victoria, Australia. In response, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) turned to Glasgow as a reliable interim host. The event will be significantly scaled-down — featuring just ten core sports and para-versions of six disciplines, all concentrated across four venues.
The selected sports include athletics, swimming, artistic gymnastics, boxing, judo, netball, bowls, 3×3 basketball, weightlifting, and para-variants such as para-swimming and wheelchair 3×3 basketball. Notably absent from the 2026 lineup are traditionally high-profile disciplines like rugby sevens, racquet sports, and hockey — a reflection of the logistical and cost constraints driving the new games model.
Shifting Vision for a Legacy Property
Katie Sadleir, CEO of the Commonwealth Sport movement, underlined the broader significance of the Glasgow edition. “This will be the first Games delivered under our reimagined model — designed to reduce costs, cut environmental impact, and maximize community value,” she said. The move is positioned as a blueprint for future editions, as the Commonwealth Games evolve from a costly mega-event to a leaner, more sustainable global sporting showcase.
For Sky, this partnership is not new territory. The broadcaster also held exclusive rights for the 2022 Games in Birmingham. The new agreement signals both continuity and deeper investment in a restructured product, aligning well with Sky’s ambitions to be the region’s go-to destination for international sport.
A Broader Competitive Landscape
Sky’s acquisition comes amid heightened media competition in the region. Earlier this year, Australia’s Seven Network secured domestic rights for both the 2026 and 2030 Commonwealth Games editions. For Sky, this move helps cement its leadership at a time when sports rights are becoming more fragmented, more localized, and more strategically important than ever.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games represent more than just a broadcasting event — they are a testbed for a new model in international sport. For Sky New Zealand, the rights acquisition positions the broadcaster not only as a content distributor but also as a strategic enabler of the Games’ reinvention.
