Planning and Preparedness for Commonwealth Games 2026

18. The Commonwealth Games in either its traditional delivery format, or as the more streamlined Games of 2026, is a globally significant event, attracting sustained media attention and largescale spectator attendance. Events of this scale necessitate extensive planning to ensure public safety, emergency preparedness, and service continuity. The 2026 Games will feature 133 sessions across 11 days. Events will be hosted at four major venues within an eight-mile corridor across Glasgow, with associated non-venue events occurring concurrently across the city. The Games will utilise pre-existing stadia, venues, venue operator knowledge and the inherent expertise of public services who can plan and deliver events. Any Games hosted in Scotland would rightly be able to be categorised as a mega event, i.e. a large scale gathering with global attention and transformative impact. While the scale of the 2026 Games has been reduced compared to previous editions, potential public safety and reputational implications remain for the Service to navigate.

19. In this context, HMFSI therefore considered it appropriate to inspect SFRS planning and preparedness to provide independent assurance that:

• Operational readiness and BAU capacity will be maintained.

• Risks associated with the Games are appropriately identified and mitigated.

• Command and control arrangements are appropriate and ensure interoperability.

• Prevention and protection responsibilities are being met.

20. HMFSI sought to provide assurance that the SFRS planning is robust and that the level of resource associated with them is appropriate. In undertaking the inspection HMFSI was able to ascertain and gauge the level of confidence that the SFRS has in its planning and preparation for the Games.