The Commonwealth Games are almost here, as some of the world’s best athletes compete for gold across 11 days of action.There will be a total of 215 gold medals available for stars to claim across 10 core sports that will take centre stage.The Commonwealth Games are here and 215 gold medals are on the lineGetty74 different nations will be competing in this year’s Games, with around 3,000 athletes featuring in the event.Athletics, swimming and cycling are, of course, included in the schedule, with boxing, basketball, gymnastics, judo, netball, bowls and weightlifting all having medals on offer too.talkSPORT are official partners with the 2026 Commonwealth Games and will have dedicated live coverage every day. It’s going to be an incredible few days and here’s where all of the action is going to be taking place…Who is hosting the Commonwealth Games?The 2026 Commonwealth Games will get started on Thursday, July 23 and run through until Sunday, August 2.The Games are being held in Glasgow, Scotland this year. This is the second time that Glasgow has played host to the event, having done so 12 years ago in 2014. In total, Scotland has held the Commonwealth Games four times, as Edinburgh hosted things in 1970 and later in 1986.There are four venues being used in total for this year’s event.Glasgow International Arena, The Scottish Event Campus, Scotstoun Stadium and Tollcross International Swimming Centre will be used.The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held across four venues in GlasgowGettyWhich countries refused to host the Commonwealth Games?Scotland was not originally planned to host the 2026 Games. Instead, in 2022, Victoria, Australia was confirmed as the host.However, just a year later in 2023, they refused to go ahead with the event due to concerns over hosting it. Malaysia was then asked whether they would step in to host the Commonwealth Games, but they rejected the offer.That was due to concerns over time, costs and funding. So, in the end, Glasgow confirmed it would host in 2024, but that the 2026 Games would be a stripped-back event.Scotland stepped in to host the 2026 Games after two nations refusedGettyCommonwealth Games: talkSPORT coverageAs mentioned, talkSPORT is an official broadcast partner of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.The network will have a dedicated live show, in association with BYD, during every day of action throughout the event.Listen talkSPORT through the website or find us on DAB digital radio through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.Download and listen to all our live commentaries via the talkSPORT app.For the latest odds and bet boosts for every big event, visit talkSPORT BET.Subscribe to the talkSPORT YouTube channel for news, views and analysis plus our regular goals show and for more, follow us on talkSPORT Facebook and talkSPORT on X.