Biggest Pros & Cons of Planning Corporate Events During the Commonwealth Games Glasgow

The countdown is on for the Commonwealth Games Glasgow, when Bonnie Scotland once again takes centre stage in 2026. The city will buzz with international athletes, cheering crowds, and debates about everything from squash to synchronised swimming.

But the big question for corporate event planners is this…

Should you align your event with the Commonwealth Games Glasgow? Or will the logistics drive you to the brink of despair?

The Pros of Hosting an Event During the Commonwealth Games Glasgow

There are many and varied reasons organisers are desperate to tie in conferences and events with a major sporting event like the Commonwealth Games Glasgow:

·       Be at the heart of the action – Your guests won’t be able to resist getting swept up the city’s electric atmosphere. Even those who don’t know their table tennis from their triathlon will succumb to the excitement. Plus, there’s a priceless thrill about saying your event was happening in Glasgow when that historic world record was smashed. Instant bragging rights!

·       Indulge in exclusive hospitality opportunities – Many on- and off-site venues are offering partial or exclusive private hire during the Commonwealth Games Glasgow. Think client entertaining, networking events, and private sports screenings. Because, who wouldn’t want to sip champagne while watching the 100m final?

·       Channel the unrivalled energy and universal appeal - A home Commonwealth Games is a citywide celebration, complete with cultural events, entertainment, and famous Glaswegian hospitality. It makes any event feel special, whether your guests are die-hard sports fans or just here for the spectacle.

The Cons

But truthfully, it’s not all gold medals and glory. There’s potential trade off:

·       Come up against accommodation headaches - Hotels are in high demand (read: eye-wateringly expensive!). The best places get snapped up years in advance, and options might be scarce unless you’re booking yesterday. So, prepare for price hikes and limited availability if your delegates and guests need overnight stays.

·       Find event spaces tricky to book - Many prime venues close out for event bookings before the torch has even been passed from the last host city. Others hold back availability until closer to the time, so they can pick and choose. It’s not ideal for planning ahead. And you might realistically need to be flexible and look to hidden gems outside the city centre.

·       Compete with the crowds - Glasgow is no stranger to large scale events. But you can expect extra traffic, longer travel times, and many a ditsy tourist asking for directions to ‘that stadium where they do the running thing.’ So, it might not be a home goal to host your event during the Commonwealth Games Glasgow if you need a quiet, controlled environment.

So, Should You Go for It?

Does your event align with energy, excitement, and the chance to be part of something monumental? Then absolutely, the 2026 Games is an ideal opportunity.

On the other hand, it might be best to plan around the Games rather than during them if your event is scholarly rather than celebratory.

Either way, The Venue Hunters have got you covered. Our FREE venue finding service takes the time, hassle, and guesswork out of securing the best venues for your specific needs.

We do the legwork, while you just sit back, leverage our expert venue knowledge, and tap into our bulk buying power to get best deal, without a million mind-numbing venue emails.

Get in touch today for a winning event, whether you’re ready to go all in with Commonwealth Games Glasgow fever or prefer to sidestep the crowds.