The case for the Commonwealth Games

Article

Hough, P. 2026. The case for the Commonwealth Games. The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs. 115 (2), pp. 312-315. https://doi.org/10.1080/00358533.2026.2625311
TypeArticle
TitleThe case for the Commonwealth Games
AuthorsHough, P.
Abstract

Recent decisions to relinquish hosting the Commonwealth Games have led to their continuation being questioned on the grounds of their prohibitive cost. However, such arguments tend to be based on narrow transactional economic calculations that do not properly consider the wider benefits of organised international sporting events. This paper presents the case for these less tangible sporting dividends and seeks to counter the growing narrative that the Commonwealth Games are anachronistic, irrelevant and not cost-effective.

Keywordssport; politics; commonwealth
Sustainable Development Goals3 Good health and well-being
Middlesex University ThemeHealth & Wellbeing
PublisherTaylor & Francis (Routledge)
JournalThe Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs
ISSN0035-8533
Electronic1474-029X
Publication dates
Online11 Feb 2026
Print04 Mar 2026
Publication process dates
Accepted12 Feb 2026
Deposited27 Feb 2026
Output statusPublished
Accepted author manuscript
File Access Level
Open
Copyright Statement

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs on 11 Feb 2026, available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/00358533.2026.2625311

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/00358533.2026.2625311
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