Category: News

Glasgow played host to ten action-packed days of competition (23 July – 2 August), as approximately 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories competed across 10 sports and six para sports at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Kit built for the big stage

Kukri proudly supported five partner nations throughout the games – Team England, Team Canada, Team Barbados, Team Guernsey and Team Anguilla, creating official kit and delegate wear for hundreds of athletes to compete on the biggest stage. Kukri also supported Netball Northern Ireland, with the team securing their first-ever Commonwealth Games victory against Trinidad and Tobago.

Ahead of the games, Kukri unveiled the official Team England competition kit, designed in collaboration with Team England and inspired by Glasgow’s creative identity – drawing on the city’s street art and design heritage.

The collection was also built with sustainability in mind, featuring increased recycled materials and reduced packaging across production.

A games to remember

Across the five nations, Kukri-kitted athletes won a combined 174 medals – including 48 gold, 67 silver and 59 bronze.

Team England finished second overall in the medal rankings, with Team Canada third, while Team Barbados and Team Guernsey each celebrated silver medal success.

Standout performances

Team England:

– Nathan Maguire retained his title in the T54 1500m event

– 3×3 basketball team successfully defended their gold medal against Australia

– Mark Swan won England’s first-ever gold in the men’s lightweight powerlifting event

– Thomas Young celebrated his birthday in style, winning gold in the T38 100m event, having narrowly missed selection for Birmingham 2022

Team Canada:

– Won medals in eight of the nine events they competed in

– Kylie Masse became the most decorated Canadian female athlete in the pool, with 11 total Commonwealth Games medals

– Set new Commonwealth records in seven separate events across the games

Team Barbados:

– Sada Williams claimed Barbados’ sole medal – winning silver in the women’s 400m final

Team Guernsey:

– Alison Merrien secured Guernsey’s medal – winning silver in the women’s bowls singles

Looking back at the Games

Reflecting on the games, Andrew Ronnie, Group CEO at Kukri Sports said, “We couldn’t be prouder to see our partner nations compete at a fantastic Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“The feedback on the kit has been fantastic, and to see the athletes performing at their best while wearing it means everything to us. We were honoured to play a part in these nations creating new legacies and memories that will last a lifetime.”

Kukri would like to congratulate every athlete, coach, support staff member and nation who contributed to a magnificent ten days of sport in Glasgow.

We are proud to have stood alongside our teams every step of the way and celebrate the incredible achievements that made the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games one to remember.

Five nations, one stage, a commonwealth of ambition. Discover the teams, athletes and stories to watch as Kukri’s partners prepare for Glasgow 2026.

Team England: Chasing Commonwealth success

Team England arrive in Glasgow as one of the leading sporting nations in the Commonwealth after an impressive Birmingham 2022 campaign, finishing second on the medal table with 57 golds.

With world-class athletes across a range of sports, expectations will once again be high as they target more standout performances.

They will do so wearing a kit that reflects performance and place. Unveiled by Kukri, the design draws inspiration from Glasgow’s iconic art and architecture, combining bold visuals with high-performance materials developed alongside athletes.

Team Canada: A nation built for big moments

Canada enjoyed a hugely successful Birmingham Games, finishing third overall with 92 medals, including 26 golds.

Among the standouts was Summer McIntosh, who at just 15 claimed gold in the 400m individual medley, while also breaking a record and adding five more medals.

Known for producing elite talent across sports, Canada will arrive in Glasgow with a combination of experienced performers and emerging athletes eager to make their mark.

Kukri will once again provide official ceremony wear and athlete apparel, continuing a successful partnership from the past two Games.

Team Barbados: Pride, passion and opportunity

For Barbados, the Commonwealth Games represent more than competition – they are a chance to shine on one of sport’s biggest stages.

After securing three medals at Birmingham 2022, including a gold medal from Sada Williams in the women’s 400m, the nation will look to build on that success and inspire the next generation.

Kukri’s long-standing partnership with Barbados continues into Glasgow, with designs that proudly showcase the nation’s identity and colours.

Team Anguilla: Inspiring a nation

Commonwealth Sport Anguilla will head to Glasgow determined to showcase the talent, dedication and passion that exists across the Eastern Caribbean nation.

The Games provides a unique opportunity to compete alongside the world’s best, create lasting memories and inspire future generations.

Kukri will once again support the team with performance apparel designed to reflect the pride and identity of the nation on the international stage.

Team Guernsey: Small island, big ambition

Team Guernsey return to the Commonwealth Games looking to build on a proud tradition of punching above their weight on the international stage.

At Birmingham 2022, a 28-strong team secured two historic medals which was their first in 28 years, underlining the island’s ability to deliver on the big stage.

In Glasgow, they will be represented by 20 athletes across four sports, all aiming to make their mark in their competition kit designed by Kukri, combining high-performance design with the island’s identity on the global stage.

Looking ahead to the games, which begin on 23 July, Andrew Ronnie, Group CEO at Kukri Sports, said “We are incredibly proud to support our partners at the Commonwealth Games.

“It’s an honour to help athletes feel confident when they represent their nations and empower them on the biggest stages. Glasgow 2026 will be a fantastic celebration and we can’t wait to see our partners compete.”

From established medal contenders to athletes chasing their first Commonwealth moment, each team will bring its own story to Glasgow 2026. Kukri is proud to play a part in supporting these journeys, and wish all partner athletes and teams the best of luck in Glasgow.

For Shanice Beckford-Norton, the Commonwealth Games represent unfinished business.

After helping Team England secure a medal at her first Games, the basketball star is now focused on going one step further next time around.

“We medalled, but we fell short of gold,” she says. “So having that opportunity to go and get gold is huge.”

Basketball has been part of Beckford-Norton’s life from an early age. Inspired by her older brother, she followed him into an academy environment where the ambition to play professionally and represent England felt normal.

“Being surrounded by people who played for England and GB, it just felt like all the stars were aligned for me,” she explains.

From there, her journey took her to the United States at just 15 years old, chasing opportunities through basketball. But while the sport opened doors, the reality of life away from home eventually caught up with her.

“It wasn’t really until college that I realised how hard it actually was,” she says. “There were players just as athletic as me, stronger than me, faster than me.”

The pressure of constantly competing eventually took its toll. Beckford-Norton admits there were moments where she questioned whether she wanted to continue with the sport at all.

“I’ve tried to quit three times,” she says honestly.

A period during COVID, away from the structure of basketball, gave her time to reset and reconnect with herself outside of sport. Returning home to London after years abroad helped her rediscover both balance and enjoyment.

“Being around family again gave me new life,” she says. “It reminded me there’s more to life than just being an athlete.”

Now, with another Commonwealth Games on the horizon, Beckford-Norton approaches preparation differently. Music has become an important part of her routine, helping her stay calm and focused before games and training sessions.

“When I’m stressed or anxious, I even listen to classical music sometimes,” she says. “It helps me get out of my head.”

Asked what separates good athletes from great ones, Beckford-Norton believes it often comes down to the small things people do behind the scenes.

“Doing that little bit extra makes a difference,” she says. “Whether it’s for yourself or the team.”

It’s also the advice she gives to young athletes hoping to follow a similar path.

“Find value in yourself, surround yourself with good people and just go and do it,” she says. “Do the little things and don’t stop.”

With the Commonwealth Games edging closer, Beckford-Norton’s focus is firmly on helping Team England take the next step — and turning a medal-winning experience into a golden one.

For Nathan Maguire, Team England wheelchair racer, the Commonwealth Games are about much more than medals.

They represent family, resilience and the journey that began when sport helped him rebuild his life after acquiring a disability at the age of eight.

“I started sport five days after I came out of hospital,” Maguire explains. “My parents were really proactive. They just wanted me to get back to being a normal eight-year-old again.”

At the time, he had never even heard of the Paralympics. That quickly changed after meeting his first basketball coach, a Paralympic champion who introduced him to what was possible through Para-sport.

“On the 5th of January 2006, I said to my dad, ‘I’m going to be a Paralympian one day.’”

That ambition eventually led him from wheelchair basketball into wheelchair racing, where he has gone on to compete at the highest level. Now, with another Commonwealth Games approaching, Maguire is preparing for what will be his third appearance for Team England — and his first as defending champion.

“Putting this England kit on is always really exciting,” he says. “But this is the first time I’m going into a championships trying to defend a medal, so that adds a little bit of pressure.”

The build-up to the Games has not been straightforward. Maguire is currently recovering from the first major injury of his career — a broken rib — forcing him away from regular training and competition.

“The hardest part has probably been the loss of identity,” he admits. “Not going to the track every day, not seeing everybody.”

Even through setbacks, the support around him continues to drive him forward. His wife Hannah, also a wheelchair racer and Official Kukri Sports Ambassador, along with family, coaches and teammates all play a huge role in keeping him motivated during the long road back to fitness.

“I thrive on that environment of being surrounded by a team,” he says. “My family come everywhere with me to watch. I’m never just doing it for me.”

That sense of purpose also shapes how Maguire views Para-sport more broadly. Alongside competing, he believes athletes have a responsibility to help improve opportunities and visibility for disabled people.

“If you look at a Para-athlete, we’ve almost got to be advocates for disabled people as well,” he explains. “You want to leave the sport better than you found it.”

It is also why he encourages young athletes to say yes to opportunities, even if they are unsure where they might lead.

“You just need to find your way in,” he says. “Once you start, so many opportunities can come from it.”

With the Commonwealth Games edging closer, Maguire’s focus is now firmly on recovery, preparation and the chance to once again represent Team England on one of sport’s biggest stages — this time with the added challenge of defending the title he worked so hard to win.