Glasgow, Scotland: Scotland formally handed over the Commonwealth Games flag and ceremonial baton to India during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Sunday, marking the official countdown to the centenary edition of the Games in Ahmedabad in 2030.
The ceremony concluded 11 days of competition in Glasgow and signalled the transition of hosting duties to India, which will become only the second country after Australia to host the Commonwealth Games more than once. India previously hosted the event in New Delhi in 2010.
Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha, and Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi received the Commonwealth Games flag and ceremonial baton during the official handover.
The closing ceremony began with a celebration of Scotland's cultural heritage before shifting to a showcase of India's diverse traditions and performing arts.
A standout moment of the event was an Indo-Scottish cultural collaboration, with musicians and dancers from both countries performing a vibrant jugalbandi symbolising the passing of the Games from Glasgow to Ahmedabad.
India also concluded the Games on a strong sporting note, finishing fourth in the medals table with 39 medals: 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze.
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Although the tally was lower than the 61 medals won at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the comparison was influenced by changes to the sports programme. Thirty of India's medals in Birmingham came from sports that were not included in the Glasgow edition.
India fielded a contingent of 122 athletes, compared with 210 in 2022, but retained fourth place while improving its medal conversion rate. A total of 38 Indian athletes returned home with medals, with long-distance runner Gulveer Singh emerging as the country's only double medallist at the Games.
With the ceremonial handover complete, preparations will now begin for Ahmedabad 2030, which will host the landmark 100th edition of the Commonwealth Games.
