ScotRail Adds Capacity for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games – Glasgow 2026

Key Points

• ScotRail to add 1,452 additional carriages across services for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
• Network Rail Scotland completed six months of readiness work and increased staffing for the Games.
• Around 3,000 athletes from 74 countries will compete across 10 sports between 23 July and 2 August 2026.
• Extra services will call at Dalmarnock, Exhibition Centre and Scotstounhill; additional evening services will run after events.
• ScotRail will deploy extra staff across the network to assist passengers and provide travel information.
• Passengers are advised to plan journeys, buy tickets before boarding where possible, allow extra time, and check latest travel information.
• Statements attributed to ScotRail’s Phil Campbell, Network Rail’s Craig Milne and Transport Scotland’s Martin Thomson are included.

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) July 20, 2026— Scotland’s Railway operators have outlined a co‑ordinated transport plan designed to handle the influx of athletes, officials and spectators attending the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with ScotRail announcing the temporary addition of 1,452 carriages to services and Network Rail Scotland confirming six months of readiness work and extra staffing across the network.

What extra train capacity will be provided during the Games and where will it run?

As reported by Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, ScotRail will add a total of 1,452 additional carriages to its services for the duration of the Games.

The extra carriages are intended to increase seating capacity on key routes serving competition venues. ScotRail said additional services will call at Dalmarnock, Exhibition Centre and Scotstounhill stations to directly serve venues including the Glasgow International Arena, Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). The operator also confirmed a programme of extra evening services to help passengers return home after events.

What readiness work has Network Rail Scotland carried out ahead of the Games?

As reported by Craig Milne, Network Rail Operations Director, Network Rail station, engineering and operations teams completed six months of readiness work ahead of the Games and have resourced up across the period to respond to expected demand.

Mr Milne said the teams have been working together to ensure the network is ready, and highlighted the reopening of Glasgow Central as part of the city’s welcome to visitors.

How many competitors and what schedule are expected for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games?

Organisers state that around 3,000 athletes from 74 countries will compete across 10 sports over 11 days, with the opening ceremony scheduled for Thursday, 23 July and competition running until Sunday, 2 August 2026. Venues named in transport planning include the Glasgow International Arena, Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, and the SEC.

What operational staff will be on hand to assist travellers and what advice is being given to the public?

ScotRail confirmed that additional staff will be deployed across the network to provide travel information and assist customers in reaching venues safely and with confidence. Phil Campbell said:

“With the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games just days away, we’re looking forward to helping thousands of people travel to venues across the city. We’re providing more than 1,400 additional carriages, operating extra services on key routes, and adding staff across the network to support customers throughout the Games. If you’re travelling to an event, please plan ahead, buy your ticket before you board where possible, and check your journey before setting off. We look forward to welcoming customers on board and helping everyone enjoy a fantastic Games.”

(Phil Campbell, ScotRail)

What guidance have Transport Scotland and Traffic Scotland provided to manage wider travel demand?

Martin Thomson, National Operations Manager at Transport Scotland, said Traffic Scotland, Transport Scotland and operators will support Glasgow 2026, Glasgow City Council and events teams to deliver the spectacle. He advised the public to use public transport where possible, avoid peak and busier times, delay non‑essential journeys and plan ahead to reduce congestion when major events finish.

“We appreciate Glasgow and the central belt will be very busy, and public transport offers the most hassle‑free option for many,”

Mr Thomson said. (Martin Thomson, Transport Scotland)

What practical steps are passengers being asked to take before travelling?

ScotRail and Network Rail have signposted customers to plan journeys in advance, be prepared for the weather, purchase tickets before boarding where ticketing facilities exist, allow extra time, and check the latest travel information before setting off. ScotRail has made travel information and venue guides available on its Games information page at www.scotrail.co.uk/commonwealthgames.

What are the implications for stations and local operations during the Games?

Network Rail said station teams have been prepared to manage increased footfall, with engineering and operational staff available to respond to incidents or peak demand. The reopening of Glasgow Central — highlighted by Network Rail — is intended to support passenger flows and ensure resilience across the network. Additional local ScotRail staff will provide wayfinding and passenger support at key interchange stations and venue stops.

What are the coordinated responsibilities across agencies for event‑time transport management?

Statements provided by ScotRail, Network Rail and Transport Scotland indicate a co‑operative approach: ScotRail to provide rolling stock and on‑board/ station staff; Network Rail to ensure infrastructure resilience and station operations; and Transport Scotland (with Traffic Scotland) to coordinate wider traffic and journey planning, advise on avoiding peak periods, and support Glasgow City Council event management. Each organisation has underlined the importance of passengers planning ahead and using public transport to ease road congestion.

Which venues will see direct rail support and what additional services will be scheduled?

ScotRail’s extra services are scheduled to call at Dalmarnock (close to the Games’ venues), Exhibition Centre (serving the SEC) and Scotstounhill (near Scotstoun Stadium). Evening services are being added across routes that serve these stations to accommodate post‑event dispersal.

Details about specific timetables and the exact allocation of the 1,452 carriages were not disclosed in the public statements but will be reflected in journey planning information on the ScotRail Games webpage.

What contingency measures have been described in case of disruption?

Network Rail said its engineering and operations teams are resourced to respond to demand, implying on‑call staff and contingency plans are in place to manage incidents.

The organisations urged passengers to check live travel information before travel and to allow additional time, the accepted practical mitigations for large‑event travel risk. No detailed incident scenarios or specific contingency protocols were published in the statements provided.

What is the message from transport leaders to visitors and residents during the Games?

Both Phil Campbell of ScotRail and Craig Milne of Network Rail emphasised Glasgow’s warm welcome to visitors and the role of the rail network in enabling access to events.

Mr Campbell spoke of welcoming customers on board and helping everyone enjoy the Games; Mr Milne emphasised the city’s global reputation for hospitality and the operational readiness of the rail network. Martin Thomson of Transport Scotland urged use of public transport and sensible journey planning to avoid periods of peak congestion.

Background of this development

The announcement of increased rail capacity and readiness work follows months of planning across Scotland’s transport bodies to prepare for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Large multi‑venue sporting events routinely prompt transport operators to augment services, stage staff briefings, and co‑ordinate with local authorities to manage passenger flows and minimise disruption.

Network Rail’s reference to six months of readiness work reflects a common lead time for infrastructure checks, timetable adjustments and station preparations ahead of major events.

ScotRail’s deployment of additional carriages is an operational response to anticipated passenger peaks at venue stations and interchange hubs. Transport Scotland’s role is to oversee and harmonise the different operator plans and to communicate travel advice to the public.

Prediction: how this development can affect spectators, athletes, staff and local commuters

• Spectators and visitors: Increased carriage capacity and extra services should reduce overcrowding and provide more reliable access to venues, particularly for those travelling to stops with direct event connections (Dalmarnock, Exhibition Centre, Scotstounhill). Advance ticket purchase and journey planning will further ease travel experiences.
• Athletes and officials: Dedicated extra capacity and improved station operations will support timely arrival and departure for competition schedules, helping event organisers meet tight transport windows for teams and officials.
• Event staff and volunteers: Additional staff on the network and clearer journey guidance will aid timely shifts and reduce the risk of late arrivals that could affect event operations.
• Local commuters and residents: While extra services aim to accommodate event traffic, commuters may still experience busier trains and stations, especially if they travel through event corridors. Advice to avoid peak times and delay non‑essential journeys should mitigate clashes between regular travel and event crowds.
• Transport operators and city services: The Games will test operational resilience; if services run smoothly it will reinforce confidence in Scotland’s Railway to manage large events. Conversely, significant disruption could trigger post‑event reviews and prompt adjustments to contingency planning for future major events.