For the first time in Commonwealth Games history, an opening ceremony will be staged not in a sprawling outdoor stadium, but inside the electric bowl of an arena. And not just any arena — Glasgow's OVO Hydro, one of the busiest live entertainment venues on the planet.
Glasgow 2026 organisers confirmed today that the Hydro will play host to the opening night spectacle on July 23, kicking off 11 days of world-class sport. And they're calling on 700 Glaswegians and Scots to step into the spotlight and help make it unforgettable.
A Ceremony "Designed to Be Experienced, Not Observed"
The creative vision is being led by an all-female team headed by Louisa Mahon, Glasgow 2026's chief marketing and ceremonies officer. She's joined by show and staging director Roxana Cole, choreographer Emily Jane Boyle, and costume designer Carole Millar.
Together, they're promising something bold, immersive, and unmistakably Glasgow.
"The Hydro is a spectacular venue and this ceremony is being designed to be experienced, not observed — one that will translate to broadcast in a way that stadium ceremonies simply cannot match," Mahon said.
She described the show as "a gorgeous story of Glasgow told in a really authentic way, but with an incredible Commonwealth twist" — a celebration of a city that has "forever reinvented and invented and created things that have, quite frankly, transformed the world."
It's a far cry from 2014, when the last Glasgow Games opened at Celtic Park. This time, the intimate setting of the 14,000-capacity Hydro promises to bring audiences closer to the action than ever before.
Your City Needs You: 700 Volunteers Wanted
Here's where it gets exciting for anyone reading this. Glasgow 2026 is recruiting 700 volunteer cast members, and the roles are wide open:
Dancers — all styles welcome, from classical and contemporary to street dance, ballroom, and traditional Scottish
Theatre performers — drama students, amateur dramatics veterans, musical theatre enthusiasts
Musicians — singers, percussionists, drummers, and anyone with musical flair
All-round performers — no specific skill required, just enthusiasm, energy, and a passion for being part of something historic
The minimum age is 16 and — crucially — no previous experience is required. Organisers say they want "passionate people from all backgrounds" to showcase Glasgow's communities and cultures on a global stage.
How to apply: Submit your application at glasgow2026.com/casting before April 24. Be warned — the deadline may be brought forward if demand is high. Auditions will be held in Glasgow on May 9–10.
Clyde-Built, World-Class
Costume designer Carole Millar said the project has rekindled her love for the city. "I've rediscovered my love of Glasgow, just out in the streets, observing and thrashing out within creative meetings — trying to deliver the Glasgow that I live in and love, with all its diversity and all its lovely people."
Show director Roxana Cole added that community involvement is woven into the fabric of the ceremony. "We did two big workshops with the community across Glasgow so that we know that they're really rooted and integral to the narrative," she said.
Glasgow 2026 runs from July 23 to August 2, with more than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories competing across 10 sports and six Para sports. But on opening night, the stars won't just be on the arena floor — they'll be the 700 volunteers who answered the call.
If you've ever dreamed of performing on the Hydro stage, this is your moment. Glasgow's building something special, and the city wants you to be part of it.
