The 2026 Commonwealth Games have officially arrived. Following an innovative and theatrical Opening Ceremony on Thursday night, the focus now shifts to the sporting arenas across Glasgow where Team South Africa is gearing up for a packed opening day of competition.
Here is a look back at how the host city welcomed the world, and a comprehensive guide to when and where to catch the South Africans in action today.
A Time-Traveling Welcome
Glasgow promised to innovate at every turn, and the Opening Ceremony delivered. In a spectacular start to the 23rd Commonwealth Games, The King and The Queen made a surprise entrance into The Hydro arena by emerging from Doctor Who’s iconic TARDIS, piloted by cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh.
In a first for Commonwealth Games history, athletes from both Para and non-Para sports entered the arena before the main show unfolded. The 74 participating nations and territories paraded around a giant living garden set on a Celtic Knot walkway, transforming the stage into a vibrant, living artwork as they presented their uniquely decorated Batons.
Soundtracked by a blend of electronic-trad beats from Valtos and a choir of everyday people coming alive beneath the famous Glasgow Central Station clock, the ceremony served as a love letter to the city. Tributes were paid to Glasgow’s industrial heritage and its modern status as a UNESCO City of Music. The night climaxed with a massive disco celebration, officially opened by His Majesty King Charles, who praised the city and urged a harmonious future for the Commonwealth family.
Team SA Opens Their Campaign
With the fanfare complete, Friday marks the official kickoff for the majority of the sporting program. For Team South Africa, day one brings a flurry of action, particularly at the pool where several potential finals are on the line tonight.
In the morning sessions, keep an eye on the likes of Pieter Coetze and Erin Gallagher in the swimming heats, while the Wheelchair Basketball team tips off their campaign against Canada. Over at the bowls greens, Wayne Rittmuller opens the Men’s Singles, and Princess Schroeder and Keith Orwell tackle a double-header in the Para Mixed Pairs.
Here is the complete schedule of Team SA athletes in action today (all times SAST):
Swimming & Para Swimming (Heats & Semis)
Time (SAST) | Event | Athlete(s) |
11:30 | Women’s 400m Freestyle (Heats) | Hannah Robertson, Dune Coetzee |
11:55 | Men’s 200m IM (Heats) | Kris Mihaylov |
12:08 | Para Women’s S13 100m Freestyle (Heats) | Alani Ferreira, Danika Vyncke |
12:10 | Para Men’s S13 100m Freestyle (Heats) | Nathan Hendricks |
12:13 | Women’s 200m Backstroke (Heats) | Hannah Pearse |
12:26 | Men’s 50m Backstroke (Heats) | Pieter Coetze, Ruard van Reenen |
12:35 | Men’s 4x100m Freestyle (Heats) | Team SA |
12:37 | Women’s 50m Butterfly (Heats) | Erin Gallagher, Caitlin de Lange, Jessica Thompson |
12:54 | Men’s 100m Breaststroke (Heats) | Michael Houlie, Chris Smith |
13:23 | Women’s 4x100m Freestyle (Heats) | Team SA |
20:59 | Men’s 50m Backstroke (Semi-finals) | Pieter Coetze, Ruard van Reenen |
21:08 | Women’s 50m Butterfly (Semi-finals) | Erin Gallagher, Caitlin de Lange |
21:31 | Men’s 100m Breaststroke (Semi-finals) | Michael Houlie, Chris Smith |
Swimming & Para Swimming (Potential Finals)
Time (SAST) | Event | Athlete(s) |
20:07 | Women’s 400m Freestyle | Hannah Robertson, Dune Coetzee |
20:16 | Men’s 200m IM | Kris Mihaylov |
20:23 | Para Women’s S13 100m Freestyle | Alani Ferreira, Danika Vyncke |
20:30 | Para Men’s S13 100m Freestyle | Nathan Hendricks |
20:51 | Women’s 200m Backstroke | Hannah Pearse |
22:11 | Women’s 4x100m Freestyle | Team SA |
22:21 | Men’s 4x100m Freestyle | Team SA |
Other Sports
Time (SAST) | Sport | Event | Athlete(s) |
11:00 | Wheelchair Basketball | Women’s 3×3 (vs Canada) | Team SA |
12:20 | Bowls | Men’s Singles (Round 2) | Wayne Rittmuller |
13:30 | Boxing | Men’s Welterweight (65kg, Round of 32) | Simamkele Damesi |
13:30 | Gymnastics | Men’s Artistic Individual (Qualifiers) | Daniel MacLean |
13:45 | Para Bowls | Para Mixed Pairs B2-B3 (Round 1) | Princess Schroeder, Keith Orwell |
16:00 | Bowls | Women’s Pairs (Round 2) | Jacqui Janse van Rensburg, Thabelo Muvhango |
21:40 | Para Bowls | Para Mixed Pairs B2-B3 (Round 2) | Princess Schroeder, Keith Orwell |
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