The Scottish Government has announced £245,000 of funding to support the King’s Baton Relay (KBR) in Scotland ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The funding, awarded to Commonwealth Games Scotland, will support at least 22 community events during the host nation leg from 1 to 23 July 2026, with the relay travelling to cities, rural areas and island communities. It will culminate in the Opening Ceremony of the Games.
Communities and sports clubs are encouraged to express their interest in hosting a visit, with the application process open until the end of March 2026.
There is also an open call for designers to apply for the commission for the decoration of Scotland’s Baton – Decorate the Baton – which closes tomorrow 12 March.
Sport Minister Maree Todd visited GalGael, a social enterprise based in Govan, Glasgow, whose craftspeople hand-made the batons for the relay using ash from Pollok Park.
She said:
“Visiting GalGael and seeing the craftsmanship that has gone into creating the batons is a wonderful reminder of what makes this relay so special. I’m pleased that Scottish Government funding will help bring the King’s Baton Relay to communities right across Scotland this summer.
“Whether a sports club, a community group, or simply want to be part of the build-up to Glasgow 2026, I’d encourage everyone to get involved. These free community events are a real opportunity to get active, connect with others, and improve wellbeing right across Scotland. This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate what makes Scotland unique on a truly global stage, and I want as many people as possible to be part of it.”
Gayle McPherson, Director of Legacy and Community Engagement at Commonwealth Games Scotland, said:
“The King’s Baton Relay is a special part of the build-up to Glasgow 2026 and will connect communities across Scotland with the excitement of a home Games. The baton itself carries the message of a sustainable Games, made from reclaimed ash from a Glasgow park by the traditional craftspeople at GalGael in Govan.
“The Scottish Government’s support will help bring the relay to towns, cities and island communities right across the country to ensure everyone is part of the celebrations and provide fans with the opportunity to show their support for Team Scotland as our athletes make their final preparations for Glasgow 2026.”
The KBR activation in Scotland will deliver free public events, creating opportunities for communities and sports clubs the length and breadth of the country to be part of the build-up to Glasgow 2026.
The Scottish Government is also providing £15 million of funding for sporting organisations to offer free, accessible and inclusive physical activity opportunities to capitalise on a “spectacular summer of sport”.
Team Scotland is preparing to welcome the King’s Baton Relay ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and you can be part of the celebrations!
From Wednesday 1st July through to the Opening Ceremony on Thursday 23rd July, the Baton will travel across the country, visiting communities, events, and festivals to celebrate Team Scotland, sport, the Commonwealth, Scottish culture and the Games.
This year, the Relay has been reimagined to make it easier for communities to get involved. Rather than travelling continuously through streets, the Baton will use a hub-and-spoke model, bringing it to selected events across Scotland every day.
How to Host the Baton at Your Event
If you run a festival, sports activity, community gathering or other creative event, you can register your interest to host the Baton with us via Glasgow 2026’s All In programme: CLICK HERE for the registration form.
When you register, simply tick the box to share your event with Team Scotland. The KBR delivery team will review submissions and confirm which events will host the Baton by 30th April.
What the Baton Visit Looks Like
At selected events, the Baton can:
- Be brought in by local Batonbearers or community heroes
- Be displayed for attendees to hold, take photos and celebrate
- Include content creation support, with imagery from the event available for your use
- Feature current or former athletes, or a visit from Finnie, the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Official Mascot, depending on availability
Themes and Ideas
We’re looking for creative and inclusive events that reflect the themes of sport and the Commonwealth. Events can be large or small, urban or rural. The more imaginative, the better!
We’re also incorporating activities that support the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, such as plastic and litter collections around Scottish waterways. Organisations that organise these activities are especially welcome.
Take Part in the Relay
This is your chance to bring the excitement of Glasgow 2026 to your community. Whether it’s a local sports event, a festival, a clean-up initiative, or another creative gathering, the Baton is coming to connect communities and celebrate Scottish and Commonwealth culture. Register your event and get involved today: CLICK HERE for the registration form.
Decorate Scotland’s Baton
There are 74 Batons, one for each nation and territory in the Games. Each country will decorate their Baton to represent their nation and these will be united in Glasgow when the Kings welcome message to open the Games is read out to the world.
The Scotland Baton carries the word ‘gather’, a symbol of community, connection and celebration. Handmade in Glasgow by skilled makers from Galgæl and master craftsman Tim Norman, it’s a blank canvas waiting for Scotland’s creativity. Communities, artists, and schools are invited to apply to decorate and customise the Baton, leaving their mark on this once-in-a-lifetime journey to the Glasgow 2026 Opening Ceremony. Find out more about the open call for artists here: https://www.teamscotland.scot/kbr-scotland/kbr-decoration/
Don’t miss your chance to be part of history!
