The Hydro in Glasgow will host the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony on 23 July 2026, marking the first time the event will be staged in an arena rather than an outdoor stadium. Organisers are recruiting 700 volunteer cast members for what they describe as a "Clyde-built experience for the world."

Louisa Mahon, Glasgow 2026's ceremonies creative lead, promises a bold, unmistakably Glasgow spectacle designed to be "experienced, not observed." The team includes show director Roxana Cole, choreographer Emily-Jane Boyle, and costume designer Carole Millar. They're working with "incredible female creatives" to create something unlike any previous Commonwealth Games ceremony.

The 24 April deadline for volunteer applications could be brought forward due to high demand, with auditions scheduled for 9-10 May in Glasgow. The Games run from 23 July to 2 August, featuring more than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations competing across 10 sports and six Para sports. When Glasgow last hosted in 2014, the opening ceremony took place at Celtic Park.