The stadium will probably be host to the athletics through the scaled-back model of the Commonwealth Video games
With the 2026 Commonwealth Video games formally set for Glasgow, Scotstoun is poised to take centre stage because it hosts the athletics within the scaled-back occasion.
Identified for its distinctive blue observe, the stadium plans to increase its present capability from 4765 to accommodate between 10,000-11,000 spectators with non permanent seating.
The choice to host the Video games in Glasgow comes after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew on account of rising prices.
Glasgow 2026 will stage observe and subject however no marathons
Glasgow has a robust observe report in internet hosting the occasion, having efficiently managed the Video games in 2014 with the athletics happening at Hampden.
Hampden accommodated 40,000 athletics followers whereas the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham welcomed 30,000 for the Video games in 2022.
Scotstoun’s extra intimate setting will probably be a singular ambiance because the smaller model of the Video games will probably be distinctly completely different.
Scotstoun Stadium (Getty)
AW spoke with Jon Doig OBE, the Chief Govt of the Commonwealth Video games Federation Scotland on the official launch of the Video games in Glasgow. He stated: “Now we have been engaged on this for slightly below 12 months, trying over it when it comes to the idea and if we might undergo and ship it.
“The earliest factor we had to take a look at was athletics and whether or not we might ship athletics in Scotstoun Stadium and the reply we obtained again when it comes to feasibility was sure.
“Now we have clearly already obtained a important stand at Scotstoun however the remainder of the seats will probably be wrapped round with non permanent seating.
“The non permanent seating will take the quantity to 10,000-11,000 and in that facet we are able to create a fully sensible ambiance when the athletes are competing and operating round.”
Dwain Chambers (Getty)
The stadium holds a historic legacy in athletics that dates again to the late Nineties, when it first hosted cross nation occasions.
From 1903 to 1913, the Scottish Nationwide Cross Nation Championships befell yearly at Scotstoun, except 1907, once they have been held in Portobello, Edinburgh.
It has additionally been the house of Victoria Park AAC since its basis in 1930.
Since its renovation with the all-weather observe within the mid-90s, the stadium has hosted quite a few prestigious occasions.
The British Milers’ Membership held grand prix conferences on the stadium in 1999, 2000 and 2001, attracting prime athletes from throughout the UK.
Worldwide occasions have been additionally held, together with in 2000 when Nice Britain & Northern Eire took on the USA, in 2003 it was Nice Britain & Northern Eire v USA v Russia and, in 2005, the identical three nations challenged one another once more.
The stadium additionally welcomed the Scottish Senior Championships from 2001 to 2007, together with numerous different competitions, together with the Mixed Occasions Championships (2002) and the Masters Championships (2006).
The final main occasion that was held on the Glasgow stadium was the Norwich Union Glasgow Grand Prix in 2007. In 2014 the stadium was used as a coaching venue for the Commonwealth Video games.
Kelly Holmes (Getty)
At present, Scotstoun stays the house of Victoria Park AAC, however it additionally shares the area with Glasgow Warriors rugby membership, which has taken a outstanding position lately.
The deal with rugby has restricted the staging of large-scale occasions, because the Warriors require unique entry for his or her fixtures, usually establishing non permanent stands on the observe.
Nevertheless, the announcement of Scotstoun because the host for the 2026 Commonwealth Video games might signify a shift on this pattern. As Doig says: “Scotstoun has a really lengthy historical past of athletics and it has been there for over 100 years in several methods and internet hosting worldwide occasions.
“It’s nice that we are able to convey athletics again to the stadium and hopefully we can depart a legacy there as properly for athletics.
“Will probably be a totally completely different Video games in comparison with 2014, we’re in several instances however it is going to nonetheless be thrilling and a world-class occasion. It is a reset and re-imagination.
“This won’t solely encourage the athletes who’re competing to get good performances however it is going to additionally encourage the children who will probably be within the crowds feeling impressed.
“We’ve had various our athletes that have been within the stands in 2014 now making Scottish and GB groups so we stay up for that stimulus being there sooner or later.”
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The put up Glasgow 2026 to spice up Scotstoun’s athletics legacy appeared first on AW.
