Pacific pride takes centre stage in Glasgow as Commonwealth Games 2026 begin

The Commonwealth Games are officially under way in Scotland with Pacific nations taking centre stage at the opening ceremony as athletes prepare to chase medals and make history over the coming 10 days.

Among the more than 3000 athletes from 74 nations and territories competing in Glasgow are representatives from 11 Pacific nations, carrying the hopes of their communities across sports ranging from weightlifting and boxing to swimming, athletics and netball.

The Games were officially opened by King Charles III at the opening ceremony in Glasgow on Friday morning (NZ time).

For many of the region's teams, simply reaching Scotland has been a journey of determination, backed by years of training and the support of families, volunteers and small sporting organisations.

As the athletes marched into the The Hydro arena behind their national flags, Pacific officials spoke of the pride and responsibility of representing their countries on one of the Commonwealth's biggest sporting stages.

Vanessa Kilner, Team Fiji chief executive, said wearing the national colours was an achievement earned through years of hard work.

Watch Team Cook Islands bring the island spirit to Glasgow below.

In a statement issued by the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC), Kilner said: "Earning the opportunity to represent our nation at the Commonwealth Games is a significant achievement that reflects years of dedication, discipline and sacrifice.

"We are confident Team Fiji will represent our nation with pride, integrity and excellence in Glasgow."

For Tonga, flag bearer Finau Ohuafi said carrying the national flag was about more than personal success.

Tonga flag bearers netballer Hulita Veve and swimmer Finau Ohuafi lead their country's team during the opening ceremony. Photo/screengrab

"I carry this honour not only for myself but for my family, my sport, and every young Tongan who dares to dream," the swimmer told Matangi Tonga.

"I will do my very best to represent Tonga with pride, humility and respect and to showcase the strength, resilience, and spirit of our people at the Commonwealth Games."

Vanuatu's road to Glasgow has not been without obstacles. Funding challenges threatened the team's preparations before it left for Scotland.

Vanuatu flag bearer weightlifter Ajah Pritchard-Lolo and baton bearer Thomas Wilbur. Photo/screengrab

David Lolo, president of Vanuatu's Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (VASANOC), said officials remained focused on giving athletes the support they needed.

"We have 14 athletes and their officials looking us dead in the eye for leadership and guidance," his statement read.

"So, we have an obligation to reassure our team and to keep moving and pressing forward... It's a simple case of offence and defence, and this CGA is currently playing offence because Glasgow is just around the corner."

Meanwhile, Team Niue arrived in Glasgow after completing its final preparations at home, including the blessing of team uniforms and the announcement of its baton bearer and flag bearer.

Sidney Lui, Niue's Chef de Mission, said the team was ready.

"Today is all about bringing everything together and the blessing of the uniform is the most important thing for today's occasion as well as the announcement of the baton bearer and also the flag bearer."

Lui thanked the government of Niue, sponsors and families for supporting the team's campaign and said preparations had gone well.

Looking ahead to competition, Lui told PMN Niue she believed the athletes could make their mark.

"I'm quite positive that we will be successful in this campaign having seen and having followed all our athletes throughout their preparation for the Commonwealth Games and also their training."

Niue's Commonwealth Games team prepares for Glasgow after the blessing of its uniforms at home. Chef de Mission Sidney Lui says the team is ready to proudly represent the island nation on the international stage. Photo/screengrab

Niue's baton bearer is lawn bowler Christine Ioane while Duke Williams carried the national flag after becoming the country's first Commonwealth Games medallist 20 years ago.

He has since continued to win medals at Oceania and Pacific Games level, cementing his place as one of Niue's most successful athletes.

Over the next 10 days, Pacific athletes will compete across a range of sports, hoping to add to the region's proud Commonwealth Games history.

Team Sāmoa proudly represent their nation at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow, as Pacific athletes begin their campaign on the world stage. Photo/screengrab

Pacific nations competing at the Commonwealth Games include Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru (soon to be Naoero), Niue, Papua New Guinea, Sāmoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

They will compete in weightlifting, para-powerlifting, lawn bowls/para-bowls, boxing, netball, basketball/wheelchair basketball, athletics/para-athletics, swimming/para-swimming, and judo.

Team Nauru (Naoero) make their entrance at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow, carrying the pride of their island nation as Pacific athletes begin their campaign. Photo/screengrab

For many, Glasgow is about more than medals.

It is another chance for Pacific nations to show the world that, regardless of size, they can compete with pride, resilience and ambition on the international stage.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will end on Monday, 3 August, NZ time.

For more information on the 2026 Commonwealth Games, click here.

Team Aotearoa New Zealand. Photo/screengrab

Team Solomon Islands. Photo/screengrab

Team Kiribati. Photo/screengrab

Team Cook Islands. Photo/screengrab

Team Tuvalu. Photo/screengrab

Team PNG. Photo/Screengrab