Commonwealth Games - Approved Sports

Approved Sports

Further information: Commonwealth Games sports and Commonwealth Games records

There are a total of 21 sports (with two multi-disciplinary sports) and a further seven para-sports which are approved by the Commonwealth Games Federation. They are categorised into three types. Core sports must be included on each programme. A number of optional sports may be picked by the host nation, which may include some team sports such as basketball. Recognised sports are sports which have been approved by the CGF but which are deemed to need expansion; host nations may not pick these sports for their programme until the CGF's requirements are fulfilled.

Sport Type Years Archery Optional 1982, 2010 Athletics Core 1930–present Badminton Core 1966–present Basketball Optional 2006 Billiards Recognised Never Boxing Core 1930–present Canoeing Recognised Never Cricket Recognised 1998 Cycling Optional 1934–present Diving Optional 1930–present Fencing Recognised 1950–1970 Football Recognised Never Golf Recognised Never Gymnastics (Artistic and Rhythmic) Optional 1978, 1990–present Handball Recognised 1930 Hockey Core 1998–present Judo Optional 1990, 2002, 2014 Lawn bowls Core 1930–present (except 1966) Life saving Recognised Never

Sport Type Years Netball Core 1998–present Rowing Optional 1930, 1938–1962, 1986 Rugby League (likely nines) Recognised Never Rugby Union Sevens Core 1998–present Sailing Recognised Never Shooting Optional 1966, 1974–present Softball Recognised Never Squash Core 1998–present Swimming Core 1930–present Synchronized Swimming Optional 1986, 2006 Table Tennis Optional 2002–present Taekwondo Optional 2010 Tennis Optional 2010 Ten Pin Bowling Recognised 1998 Triathlon Optional 2002, 2006, 2014 Volleyball Recognised Never Water Polo Recognised 1950 Weightlifting Core 1950–present Wrestling Optional 1930–present (except 1990,1998 and 2006)