Simple Minds will close the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with frontman Jim Kerr set to help bring the event to an end on 2 August. The closing ceremony will take place at the OVO Hydro and officially draw the curtain on 10 days of sporting action.
The line-up also includes Scottish performers Cammy Barnes, BEMZ and Sandi Thom. Organisers say it will "highlight the people who made the Games possible, the pride of the host city and the iconic sporting triumphs".
Highland folk and electronic band Elephant Sessions will also perform during the curtain call, while Scottish singer Shereen Cutkelvin will mark the ceremonial flag handover. Community groups and cultural organisations will also be involved.
Ahmedabad in the west of India is set to host the centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, and the handover will form part of the Glasgow closing ceremony. Shankar Mahadevan, one of Bollywood's greatest vocalists, and actress Rashmika Mandanna are set to take to the stage as the baton is passed over.
Australian artist Delta Goodrem will perform a homage to Scotland at the closing ceremony 20 years after she sang in Melbourne 2006.
The Commonwealth Games officially kick-off in Glasgow on 23 July with an opening ceremony featuring KT Tunstall and Nathan Evans and Saint Phnx.
This year's pared back Games features 10 sports compared to the 17 that took place 12 years ago, following a difficult time for the competition. Although scaled back, Glasgow 2026 will see the largest ever swimming, cycling and 3x3 basketball programmes ever.
Some 215 medals will be handed out before the Glasgow-born rock band take to the stage to close the Games.
How did organisers describe the closing ceremony?
Organisers said the ceremony will "highlight the people who made the Games possible, the pride of the host city and the iconic sporting triumphs". Louisa Mahon, chief marketing and ceremonies officer at Glasgow 2026, said: "It's the moment that as a nation we celebrate Team Scotland and we say thank you to athletes from across the Commonwealth and to the people of Glasgow who got behind the Games.
"The ceremony will echo the spirit of the city and bring Glasgow 2026 full circle through enchanting celebration, energising music, captivating culture and jaw-dropping sporting moments."
What did the closing ceremony producer say?
Tom Davies, executive producer of the closing ceremony, said the event will be a chance to showcase Scotland again at the Hydro.
"This closing ceremony is our second chance to showcase Scotland and its uniqueness on stage at the Hydro, where so many have done before."
"We're working alongside a brilliant team who have designed and delivered incredible creative for some of the world's biggest ceremonies, concerts, and one-off special events and we have no doubt that this line-up will close the Games in a way only Glasgow can."
Tickets are available via the Games website., external
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Key Facts
- Simple Minds will close the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on 2 August at the OVO Hydro.
- The Games begin in Glasgow on 23 July with an opening ceremony featuring KT Tunstall, Nathan Evans and Saint Phnx.
- Glasgow 2026 will feature 10 sports and 215 medals, with the largest ever swimming, cycling and 3x3 basketball programmes.
- Ahmedabad in west India will host the centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030.
- Delta Goodrem will perform a homage to Scotland at the closing ceremony, 20 years after Melbourne 2006.
