Ticket draw announced for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

Fans can now sign up to gain access to buy tickets, providing them with a fair opportunity to be at the highly-anticipated show that will include Team Northern Ireland competitors in Glasgow’s Hydro on July 23.

Registration for the ticket draw opened at noon on May 18 and people have until 11.59pm on May 26 to sign up. Registered fans will be selected at random for the chance to purchase tickets and those who are successful will be notified on Monday June 1, with fans able to buy up to four tickets the following day.

There are four ticket price categories for the Opening Ceremony, from £45 to £195 for adults. Concession prices will be available from £34 to £146.

George Black, chair at Glasgow 2026, said: "The Opening Ceremony marks the moment we welcome athletes from across the Commonwealth to Glasgow. Gathered in the Hydro, we will share a story of how this incredible city has contributed to the world. By entering the ticket draw, we want to give people the opportunity to watch the live action unfold as the Commonwealth comes together in one place to mark the start of the Games."

Any remaining tickets will be opened to registered customers invited to buy from noon on June 5. The Games will take place from July 23 to August 2 featuring more than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories will compete across 10 sports and six Para sports.

Fans can register for the Opening Ceremony draw at www.glasgow2026.com/ceremonies-tickets.

The Glasgow 2026 Opening Ceremony will be presented by Longines, and creative elements of the show will be performed by a local cast of 600 people.

Organisers have said the show has been designed to take the audience on a journey through the city, through Scotland, and the Commonwealth.

Louisa Mahon, chief marketing and ceremonies officer at Glasgow 2026, said: " Glasgow doesn't do parties quietly and this Opening Ceremony will take that to a new level.

"For the first time in Commonwealth Games' history, we're taking the entire show indoors and transforming the Hydro into a fast-paced, immersive live experience packed with energy, surprises and spectacle."

She added: "This is not a ceremony you will want to watch from a distance. It's a ceremony you will want to be a part of and feel. With incredible dance and performance, headline acts, breath-taking visuals and the arrival of all 74 Batons from across the Commonwealth, the audience will be surrounded by icons and heroes of the Games from the very first moment."