Commonwealth Games: Shooting makes a comeback, Wrestling to miss out from Victoria 2026

Shooting and Para- shooting will return to the Commonwealth Games when the mega event moves to Victoria, Australia in 2026. Notably, these two events were excluded from the 2022 edition that was held in Birmingham, England. The Commonwealth Games Federation has announced the list of sports that will be a part of the Games in the 2026 edition.

Shooting has been India’s most productive sport in the Commonwealth Games as the nation has managed to win 135 medals, 63 of them being Gold medals. While the inclusion of shooting has been positive news for the Indian sport, the scales have been balanced with the exclusion of Wrestling from the Victoria Commonwealth Games 2026.

Elsewhere, Archery which was not included in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games continues to be excluded from the mega event. Coastal Rowing, Golf and BMX are the three sports that will make a debut at the Commonwealth Games. Meanwhile, Shooting and 3X3 Basketball would be making a comeback.

Announcing the news, Dame Louise Martin, President of Commonwealth Games Federation said, “We are thrilled to confirm the Sport Program for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the additional sports proposed by Victoria 2026 completing an exciting and diverse line-up. The Games are set to be competitive and action-packed, featuring an extensive, fully integrated Para Sport Program, the debuts of Coastal Rowing, Golf and BMX, the return of Shooting and the scintillating 3×3 Basketball.”

The Victoria Commonwealth Games 2026 organisers have also proposed a few other sports for the next edition’s event. A statement released by the organisers said, “Victoria 2026 is also proposing to add in Para-sport disciplines in golf, coastal rowing and the road (cycling) race and will work with the Commonwealth Games Federation and relevant international sporting federations to determine if this is possible.”

Below are the confirmed Sports categories for the 2026 Victoria Commonwealth Games:

Athletics and Para-Athletics; Badminton; Basketball (3×3 and 3×3 Wheelchair); Boxing; Beach Volleyball; Coastal Rowing; T20 Cricket (Women’s only); Cycling (BMX, Mountain Bike, Road, Track and Para-Track); Diving; Golf; Gymnastics; Hockey; Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls; Netball; Para-Powerlifting; Rugby Sevens; Shooting and Para-shooting; Squash; Table Tennis and Para-Table Tennis; Triathlon and Para-Triathlon; Weightlifting.