Five instances when Commonwealth Games were hosted by countries other ENG & AUS

New Delhi hosted the games in 2010.

The sporting prowess of Australia and the United Kingdom is no secret. These two nations are ranked in the elite bracket of the Commonwealth nations. Their superiority helps them to win the hosting rights of the Commonwealth Games time and again. There have been only a few instances when the Commonwealth Games were held outside of the UK and Australia. Let’s have a look at five such instances:

5. Glasgow, Scotland 2014

This edition was held between July 23 - August 3. Around 6,500 athletes from 71 countries took part in the 20th Edition of the Commonwealth Games. It was the third time Commonwealth Games were held in Scotland after the 1970 and 1986 editions. From this edition onwards, both men's and women’s hockey, women’s netball, and men’s rugby 7s were mandated on the sports program. England topped the medal list with 58 golds, totalling 174 medals. Host Scotland was fourth on the medal tally with 19 gold medals and 53 medals overall. The official mascot for the event was Clyde the Thistle man.

4. Delhi, India 2010

It was held between October 3 - October 14. The 19th Edition of the Commonwealth Games for the first time was hosted by India and the second ever to be held in Asia. As hosts, India performed exceptionally and finished second on the medal tally with 38 Gold and 101 overall medals, second to Australia’s 74 Gold and 177 overall medals. England finished in 3rd spot with 142 overall medals. The nation of Rwanda competed for the first time in this edition of the Commonwealth Games. The opening and closing ceremonies were held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on October 3 and Oct 14 respectively. The official mascot for the event was Shera the Tiger.

3. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1998

Malaysia joined the Commonwealth in 1957 and debuted in the Commonwealth Games in 1966. The 16th edition of the Commonwealth Games was the first event to be held in Asia. Team sports were included for the first time in the Commonwealth Games. 214 events were featured in 15 sports, with 3,638 athletes from 70 countries participating in the event. Australia featured at the top of the medal tally with a staggering 80 Gold medals and 198 medals overall. With England and Canada following with 36 and 30 Gold medals respectively. The Hosts were in fourth place with 10 Gold and 36 total. The official mascot of 1998 CWG is an Orangutan named Wira (Malay for “Warrior”). 

2. Victoria, Canada 1994

This edition was staged between 18-28 August, the 15th edition of the Commonwealth Games was the fourth event to be held in Canada. Victoria Games also marked the return of South Africa after the apartheid era and the country’s last appearance dating back to 1958, and the debut of Montserrat and Namibia in the Commonwealth Games. The official mascot of this edition was Kleey Wyck, an anthropomorphic killer whale. Features over 10 sports, from 63 participating nations. The hosts Canada were the first runner-up in the medal tally with 40 gold medals, Australia topped the chart with 89, and England followed Canada with 30 golds.

1.  Auckland, New Zealand 1990

Held from 24 Jan to 3 Feb, the 14th Edition was the third to be held in New Zealand and the second to be held in the city of Auckland. Mount Smart Stadium was the main venue of the event. This event was held with over 213 events in 10 sports and 2,074 athletes from 55 participating nations. The hosts won 17 gold and 58 overall, ranking 4th in the medal tally. Australia topped the list with 52 gold (162 overall), followed by England and Canada with 46 (128 overall) and 35 gold (113 overall) medals. Representing New Zealand’s official symbol the kiwi bird, Goldie was the official mascot of the event.

It will only be beneficial if other Commonwealth nations are also awarded the hosting rights. It will create sporting culture and lead to an all-round development of the host nation. CWG 2026 will also be held in Australia but the host for CWG 2030 is yet to be decided.