Commonwealth Games 2022: New Roadmap to deliver excitement, innovation for future hosts and sports

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on Monday unveiled a new Strategic Roadmap at its 2021 General Assembly which provides potential future hosts and sports with the renewed flexibility to be innovative and creative in delivering the Commonwealth Games.

In a series of recommendations to increase hosting benefits and make the Games even more cost effective, whilst engaging new audiences, the Commonwealth Sport 2026-2030 Strategic Roadmap invites future hosts to explore innovative concepts, including co-hosting and mass participation event.

As part of an ongoing consultation with International Federations, there are ambitions for a revised Sport Programme to provide hosts with more flexibility to choose from a wider list of core sports. This will now include disciplines that have previously been listed as optional sports such as T20 Cricket, Beach Volleyball and 3x3 Basketball. This will allow hosts the ability to propose entirely new sports, relevant to their nation or culture, to enhance cultural showcasing and community engagement.

To provide a blueprint for flexibility and certainty, the recommendation from the CGF is for approximately 15 sports to feature at the Commonwealth Games. There will be flexibility with the maximum number of sports, with athletics and swimming proposed as the two compulsory sports. This is due to their historical place on the programme since 1930 and based on universality, participation, broadcasting, spectator interest, para inclusion and gender balance.

Engagement will continue with Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) and International Federations over the coming months in line with the vision, intent and direction of the Roadmap.

The CGF will continue to work with future hosts to agree the minimum and maximum cap on athlete numbers, helping ensure that the size, scale and cost of the multi-sport event is continually optimised and carefully managed.

This will allow the host to generate maximum value, impact and legacy from staging the event, with this work supported by the Commonwealth Games Value Framework. Coupled with a strong proposition for prospective hosts, the roadmap will allow a more sustainable long-term agenda, with increased awareness of how sport and culture can positively impact communities. Amongst other approved recommendations, the Strategic Roadmap has outlined that:

An integrated para sport programme must remain a key, focal part of the Games

Future potential hosts would be encouraged to consider alternative Athlete Village solutions, rather than being required to accommodate athletes in a new build environment or on a single site

International Federations would be encouraged to propose new innovations and sports/disciplines to drive growth and youth engagement

The Federation will continue to prioritise sustainability, social purpose and legacy planning as part of discussions with potential hosts

Hosts would be encouraged to consider mass participation events as part of their health and well-being programmes

The Strategic Roadmap was approved by the Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) at the 2021 CGF General Assembly, which was held virtually.

CGF President Dame Louise Martin said: “We are delighted to unveil our direction of travel with this new Strategic Roadmap, which I believe marks the start of an exciting new era for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Sport. Our Games need to adapt, evolve and modernise to ensure we continue to maintain our relevance and prestige across the Commonwealth. After a long period of hard work and consultation, incorporating the views and opinions of our membership and experts across the world, we are excited to move forwards with this Roadmap. I would like to thank all our 72 Commonwealth Games Associations for their support. Our next step is to work closely with our International Federation partners to ensure they can contribute to the vision and direction of the Roadmap in order to underpin the future of the Games.”

Proposed core sports

Aquatics (Diving)

Archery (Recurve)

Badminton

Basketball 3x3 (Men and Women)

Boxing

Cricket (Men and Women)

Cycling (Mountain Bike, Road, Track, Track Para)

Gymnastics (Artistic and Rhythmic)

Hockey (Men and Women)

Judo

Lawn Bowls (including Para)

Netball (Women)

Powerlifting (Para)

Rugby Sevens (Men and Women)

Shooting (Clay Target, Small Bore, Full Bore, Pistol)

Squash

Table Tennis (including Para)

Triathlon (including Para)

Volleyball (Beach)

Weightlifting

Wheelchair Basketball 3x3 (Para)

Wrestling (Freestyle)