The number of compulsory sports at the Commonwealth Games will be reduced to just two in a major revamp from 2026.
The quadrennial event will be reduced from 16 compulsory sports to athletics and swimming only, with activities such as gymnastics, netball and lawn bowls losing their protected status.
With a host for the 2026 games yet to be secured, the revamp is designed to allow more flexibility for hosts to cater their programmes to future audiences, as well as introducing popular traditional sports from their respective regions.
Addressing the new changes, Commonwealth Games Federation president Dame Louise Martin said: 'We are delighted to unveil our direction of travel with this new strategic roadmap, which I believe marks the start of an exciting new era for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth sport.
"Our Games need to adapt, evolve and modernise to ensure we continue to maintain our relevance and prestige across the Commonwealth. After a long period of hard work and consultation, incorporating the views and opinions of our membership and experts across the world, we are excited to move forwards with this roadmap.
"I would like to thank all our 72 Commonwealth Games Associations for their support. Our next step is to work closely with our international federation partners to ensure they can contribute to the vision and direction of the roadmap in order to underpin the future of the Games."
The Birmingham 2022 Games are set to begin next July, and Dame Louise is confident that a host for the 2026 edition will be announced "in the first quarter of next year".
