Team England and GLL join forces to inspire communities ahead of Glasgow 2026
Team England is delighted to announce a new partnership with GLL, the UK’s largest charitable leisure social enterprise, as preparations build toward the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The partnership brings together two organisations with a shared mission: helping people across England get active, discover new sports and feel part of something bigger. Through its network of Better leisure centres, GLL supports millions of visits every year, and will now play a major role in connecting communities to Team England in the lead‑up to the Games.
At the heart of the partnership is the Team England National Sports Weekend, taking place on 18th – 19th July 2026 across GLL venues nationwide. The weekend will open the doors to Commonwealth sports, offering free or low‑cost sessions, coaching and taster activities for local communities. Around 300,000 people are expected to take part, giving families, young people and new participants the chance to try something different, get closer to the spirit of this year’s Commonwealth Games, and meet some Team England legends.
Speaking about the partnership, Mark Osikoya, CEO of Commonwealth Games England, said:
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with GLL who are an organisation that share our belief in the power of sport to bring people together. With their incredible reach into communities across England, this partnership will help more people feel connected to Team England and inspired by the journey to Glasgow 2026.”
Peter Bundey, CEO of GLL, added:
“GLL is proud to support Team England and to help open up Commonwealth sports to people of all ages and abilities. The National Sports Weekend will be a fantastic celebration of movement, community and opportunity. We can’t wait to welcome thousands of people into our centres this summer.”
GLL has a long track record of supporting both elite and community sports, from backing the London 2012 Games bid to operating Olympic venues in legacy mode. In 2008 it launched the GLL Sport Foundation, to help talented young athletes facing financial hardship. To date the Foundation has provided over 35,000 awards and almost £20million worth of support to aspiring sportsmen and women.