When trapeze artists from circus group Aerial Edge took to the air at Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket yesterday, they weren't just launching a funding announcement. They were sending a signal: this summer, the Commonwealth Games won't just be happening in Glasgow's arenas. They'll be happening in its streets, community halls and parks.
A total of 163 community groups across the city will share £1.25 million from the Glasgow 2026 Festival Fund — grants of up to £10,000 each to run their own performances, sports events and cultural activities in the build-up to and during the Commonwealth Games, which returns to Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August.
The fund tells its own remarkable story. Launched last year as a £250,000 grant programme, it was overwhelmed by demand. More than 400 applications poured in from grassroots organisations across every corner of the city. The response was so strong that backers — Glasgow 2026, Commonwealth Sport, the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and sportscotland — stepped in to increase the pot fivefold.
From BMX tricks to basketball courts
Among the 163 funded groups are organisations that show just how wide the net has been cast.
Scottish BMX School, founded by rider Reece Thomson after the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow, will use its grant to deliver flatland BMX coaching sessions for young riders. Thomson, who competed on the international stage at those championships, created the school to grow a sport he fell in love with as a teenager — one that needs nothing more than a bike and a flat surface.
In the city's east end, Easterhouse Henosis is planning a basketball and family festival, bringing sport and community celebration to one of Glasgow's most resilient neighbourhoods. And Glasgow Frontrunners, an LGBTQIA+ athletics group, will host a celebration of inclusive participation in sport.
Other funded projects span dance, theatre and music — from Y Dance and Theatre Alliance to Whacking Scotland — reflecting the festival's three themes of gathering, social justice and celebration.
'Trust communities and they will rise to the occasion'
Phil Batty OBE, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2026, said the response had exceeded all expectations.
"The response from communities across the city to the Festival Fund is incredible," he said. "It brings to life the magnitude of enthusiasm and local support for the Games returning to Glasgow.
"Major sporting events can spark inspiration and joy when co-created with the grassroots organisations that work in Glasgow's communities every day. The 163 local projects announced today demonstrate that when you trust artists, sports clubs and community groups to deliver engagement, they will rise to the opportunity."
Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said the city's residents were "itching to be part of it."
"With well over 150 local events taking place in every ward across the city before, during and after Glasgow 2026, we're making sure everyone has an opportunity to get involved," she said.
"This is going to be a fantastic summer of sport. It's also going to be a once-in-a-generation celebration of our city, its people and its culture and, as they always do, Glaswegians are going to rise to the occasion."
A summer-long showcase
The Glasgow 2026 Festival runs from 23 May to 9 August — far longer than the Games themselves — and funded events will take place in all 23 of the city's wards. The festival will also boost Glasgow's existing cultural calendar, including Glasgow International Festival of Contemporary Visual Art, Merchant City Festival, Glasgow Mela and Piping Live!
The Commonwealth Games brings 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories to compete across 10 sports and 6 Para sports over 11 days. But if this fund is anything to go by, the biggest team at Glasgow 2026 won't be wearing national colours. They'll be the volunteers, coaches, artists and community organisers who pitched their own vision of what a Games city should look like — and backed it up.
