Glasgow’s George Square to remain closed during 2026 Commonwealth Games

George Square will remain closed during the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, officials have said.

The city’s main square is undergoing a major revamp and is slated to reopen August next year – just weeks after the Games in the city come to an end.

During an appearance at the Scottish Affairs Committee, officials were asked whether the council could push forward the date to align with the sporting event.

But MPs were told the council had no plan to accelerate the opening and that if it was possible plans “would have been scoped out” already.

Asked to confirm whether George Square would still be closed for the Games, Billy Garrett, director of culture, tourism and events at Glasgow Life, said: “My understanding at the moment is that that will not reopen until just after the Commonwealth.”

Councillor Annette Christie, culture, sport and international relations, said: “It was very important for the city council – although as enthusiastic as we are for welcoming the Games – that it would not hinder our day-to-day business and supporting our ambitions for the city and for the people of the city, and that is why the works for George Square went ahead as planned.”

Scottish Affairs Committee chairwoman Patricia Ferguson, the Labour MP for Glasgow West, said it was “not the best vision when you leave Central Station”, but added: “These things happen I suppose.”

Angus MacDonald, Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, told the officials: “I don’t understand why you would not accelerate things.

“You’re only due to open after the Games but to fast-forward by a couple of months, it must be doable – it’s a whole year away.”

Denise Hamilton, head of communities and regulatory services at the council, said: “It’s a major infrastructure project that’s had years of planning to get to the point where there’s a spade in the ground where we are now.

“I think everyone’s disappointed the square is not going to be available but at the end of the process we’ll have an amazing square for the people of Glasgow and people coming into Glasgow.

“I think if there was opportunities they will have been scoped out and, unfortunately, the square will not be open at the time the Games will be here.”

Pressed on whether the council could find a way to accelerate the project, Ms Hamilton said: “That’s not something I can comment on here today.

“As I say, it’s been years in the planning to get to the point where we are currently in the process of digging up the square and that, as anyone that’s involved with major infrastructure projects, infrastructure projects, knows, it’s not easy to change the final year of the project, given the amount of planning it’s taken to get to this point.”

Mr Garrett insisted Glasgow will be “more than ready” to welcome visitors in 2026, adding: “I am absolutely confident that the visitor experience to Glasgow come the summer of 2026 will be exceptional.”