Police Scotland, British Transport Police and Glasgow 2026 event organisers are ready to welcome visitors to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games with a policing and security operation already in place to ensure ticket holders and communities can safely enjoy a celebration of sport.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will begin in less than a week’s time and will be officially opened by their Majesties The King and Queen at the Opening Ceremony at the Hydro in Glasgow on Thursday, 23 July 2026.
Event organisers, venues and police have been working together to ensure visitors to the city, including athletes, staff and spectators, and the local community enjoy the 10 sport programme and city festival.
Police Scotland works closely with businesses, venues and communities across the city on a daily business to encourage shared vigilance to keep Glasgow safe. Over the past year, Scotland’s national police service has stood up a dedicated planning team and established an appropriate and proportionate policing operation, alongside British Transport Police, to support delivery of a secure Commonwealth Games.
The policing operation is now active, with an increased police presence across Glasgow city. Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Gerry Corrigan, Silver commander for the policing operation said: “Police Scotland has a global reputation and significant experience in policing major events, and we are proud to work alongside colleagues at British Transport Police and Glasgow 2026 to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience of Glasgow during the Commonwealth Games
“If you are in Glasgow, you will see an enhanced policing and security presence in advance of and during the Games. Our deployments can pop up anywhere and at any time and our police officers are friendly and happy to speak to you. If you do see our officers, please feel free to say hello, and if you see something that doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and report it to a police officer. Remember, in an emergency, always dial Police Scotland on 999. If you’re not sure, leave it for us to decide, you’ll never be wasting our time.
“We will deploy more specialist police resources, including police dogs, horses and armed police officers. This is nothing to be alarmed about, these officers are first and foremost police officers and will help to support security checks in and around venues and ensure crowd safety.”
British Transport Police will be ensuring the safety of passengers travelling across the railway network this Commonwealth Games, with additional resources to be deployed on trains and at stations to protect the public.
British Transport Police Chief Superintendent Lorna McEwan said: “We’re incredibly excited to have the eyes of the world on Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games, and we have an extensive policing plan in place to ensure that spectators can travel safely across the railway network.
“We’ll have a highly visible presence of uniformed officers who will be supported by specialist assets such as plain clothes officers, and search dogs. These are nothing to be worried about – they’re there to keep you safe – but we need your help too. The travelling public are our eyes and ears and we’d ask anyone who sees anything that doesn’t feel right to trust their instincts and speak to an officer or text us on 61016.”
Safety of fans is a priority for Glasgow 2026, and ticket holders will be greeted at each venue by friendly volunteers and stewards who will be on hand to help direct ticket holders to their seats, assist with security concerns or any other questions. Security measures, including bag checks, will be in place at all venues.
Jade Gallagher, Chief Operating Officer at Glasgow 2026 said: “Glasgow is getting ready to welcome athletes, officials and fans from across the Commonwealth and we couldn’t be more excited. We want everyone to have an enjoyable, memorable and safe experience at Glasgow 2026. Staff and volunteers will be on hand across all our venues to offer the warm welcome Glasgow is known for and help people make the most of their Games experience.
“Alongside our partners at Police Scotland and British Transport Police, we will have certain security measures in place to help ensure everyone can enjoy the Games with confidence. We encourage spectators to arrive in good time, follow the guidance of our friendly staff and volunteers and most importantly, enjoy everything Glasgow 2026 has to offer.”
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games takes place from Thursday 23 July to Sunday 2 August, 2026 at four iconic venues and across Glasgow City.
A fan zone in the west of the city at Kelvingrove Park.
Games fans, visitors to the city and residents are encouraged to help keep Glasgow safe and report any suspicious activity to an event steward, staff member or police officer, or report online at gov.uk/ACT. For incidents on the rail network, text British Transport Police on 61016. In an emergency, dial Police Scotland on 999.
