The Commonwealth Games Federation has today revealed the full competition programme for the Victoria 2026 Games, with BMX Racing and Para-Cycling Road Races forming part of the Commonwealth Games programme for the very first time.
An action-packed program of sports has been unveiled as the Commonwealth’s best athletes prepare to compete across regional Victoria in just over three years’ time. As well as traditional mainstays MTB, Road and Track, it is fantastic news for riders and cycling fans alike to see BMX and Para Road Races included.
BMX Racing is a discipline on the up in Scotland, with Cameron Reid, the first Scottish Cycling Performance Programme rider for the discipline competing at Rounds 1 and 2 of this year’s UCI BMX Racing World Cup in Glasgow – becoming the first Scot to do so.
Whilst slightly further from home the recent UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships took place in Quebec and saw Finlay Graham become World Champion in the Men’s C3 Road Race, as well as winning a silver in the Time Trial, with Jenny Holl piloting English rider Sophie Unwin to Gold in the Women’s B Time Trial and silver in the Road Race.
These two disciplines will perfectly complement the overall sports and cycling programme, with Team Scotland looking to build on the success of the likes of Neah Evans, Neil Fachie, Jack Carlin and Finn Crockett in Birmingham.
Scottish Cycling Head of Performance & Coaching David Somerville said of the news:
"It is absolutely fantastic news to see such a healthy mix of cycling disciplines confirmed on the programme for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria. The inclusion of BMX and Para Road is a tremendous opportunity to inspire future generations in these disciplines. Competition for athlete places across Team Scotland in Victoria 2026 will be fierce. I know our riders, in all disciplines, will fully prepare over the next four years to give themselves and cycling the best opportunity.
“It is equally positive that Track, Road and MTB have retained their position in the Games programme. These events have brought us so much success in recent Games, I know all Scottish coaches, clubs and race teams are motivated to continue to work to create medal opportunities with the young talent coming through our system. In Birmingham this summer we won a record 11 medals, the challenge is now to back that up ‘down under’ in four years’ time.”
Commonwealth Games Federation President, Dame Louise Martin, 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 3x3 Basketball.
“The Program is rooted in the CGF’s 2026-30 Strategic Roadmap, which provides hosts with greater flexibility to propose new sports, especially ones with specific local relevance that will enhance cultural showcasing and increase community engagement.”
In total the Commonwealth Games Federation has confirmed 20 sports and 26 disciplines, including nine fully integrated Para sports.
Golf, 3x3 Basketball, 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball, Coastal Rowing, Shooting, Shooting Para Sport, BMX Racing, Mountain Bike Cross Country, Track Cycling and Para Cycling Track have been added to the already impressive sports line-up, while Coastal Rowing, Golf, and BMX will make a Commonwealth Games debut.
Victoria 2026 is also proposing to add in Para disciplines in Golf, Coastal Rowing and the Road Race and will work with the Commonwealth Games Federation and relevant international sporting federations to determine if this is possible.
Shepparton – a city 180km north of Melbourne - will host a suite of cycling events – staging both men’s and women’s time trials for the road race, as well as the BMX Racing competition, with the full program of event locations to be announced in the coming weeks.
