The 2026 Commonwealth Games are opening in Glasgow, putting fresh focus on the organisation behind the event: the Commonwealth of Nations. While the British Empire is long gone, the Commonwealth has survived as a voluntary association of countries with historical ties to Britain.
In broad terms, the Commonwealth brings together nations that cooperate on shared interests rather than through imperial rule. It is often presented as a network of countries linked by common institutions, language, legal traditions or political values, even though its members are spread across different regions and have very different histories and priorities.
The Commonwealth Games are one of the most visible expressions of that connection. Sporting competition gives the organisation a public profile that its political and diplomatic work does not always receive. For many audiences, the Games are the moment when questions about what the Commonwealth stands for and whether it still has a clear purpose return to the spotlight.
Its continued relevance is often debated. Supporters see it as a platform for cooperation, dialogue and shared standards among member states. Critics question how meaningful it can be in a world far removed from empire. As the Games begin, the Commonwealth remains both a historical legacy and a modern international grouping still trying to define its role.
