CANAL+ has confirmed broadcast rights for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with SuperSport set to provide extensive live coverage across Sub-Saharan Africa on DStv, DStv Stream, GOtv and GOtv Stream.
The Games, running from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, Scotland, will be available to DStv and GOtv Access subscribers, opening up the global sporting event to millions of viewers across the continent.
More than 500 African athletes are expected to compete during the 11-day competition, with SuperSport promising a strong focus on the continent’s leading medal contenders.
Two dedicated SuperSport channels will carry comprehensive coverage of the Games, including a curated feed following African athletes, while additional events will be available through overflow channels on linear television and streaming platforms.
A third dedicated offering on SuperSport Máximo 2 and 3 will focus on athletes from Portuguese-speaking African countries.
CANAL+ Africa and MultiChoice CEO David Mignot said the acquisition of the broadcast rights underscored the company’s commitment to providing major international sporting events to African audiences.
“We are pleased to confirm the broadcast rights for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will be available on SuperSport to our DStv and GOtv Access subscribers, with a dedicated focus on the African athletes who will aim to do their countries and the continent proud,” Mignot said.
“The broadcast of the Commonwealth Games is a continuation of our investment in ensuring that our viewers and subscribers receive the sports and entertainment content that resonates with them the most.”
The Glasgow Games will feature 10 sports and six para sports staged across four venues: Scotstoun Stadium, the Scottish Event Campus, Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Arena, and Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
African interest will be spread across athletics, swimming, boxing, weightlifting and other disciplines, with some of the continent’s biggest sporting names expected to compete.
East Africa’s renowned distance-running strength will be represented by Tanzania, whose contingent includes Alphonse Simbu, Gabriel Geay, Jackline Sakilu, Failuna Abdi Matanga and emerging distance runner Joseph Panga.
Nigeria will arrive with a strong squad led by hurdler and former world record holder Tobi Amusan and reigning Commonwealth long jump champion Ese Brume. Weightlifters Rafiatu Lawal and Adijat Olarinoye, alongside shot putter Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, will also be among the athletes carrying the country's medal hopes.
Ghana will bank on its sprint talent, including Benjamin Azamati, Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, Joseph Paul Amoah and Edwin Gadayi, alongside high jumper Rose Amoanimaa Yeboah.
Francophone Africa will also field some of the continent’s biggest international stars, led by Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali and Côte d’Ivoire’s Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith. Senegal’s Louis François Mendy and Cheikh Diouf, as well as Ivorian sprinter Arthur Cissé, are also among the athletes to watch.
Portuguese-speaking African nations will be represented by boxers Alcinda Panguana, Rady Gramane and Ivanusa Moreira, alongside Cabo Verde hurdler Jordin Andrade and Angola sprinter Marcos Santos.
South Africa will look to established stars including swimmer Chad le Clos and sprinter Akani Simbine. They will be joined by swimmer Pieter Coetzé, javelin thrower Jo-Anè van Dyk and 400m runner Lythe Pillay.
DStv and GOtv subscribers will be able to follow the Games on SuperSport Variety 3 and Variety 4 in Southern Africa and SuperSport Africa 1 and Africa 2 elsewhere on the continent. The channels will be temporarily rebranded as SuperSport Commonwealth 1 and Commonwealth 2 for the competition.
SuperSport Máximo 2 and 3 will provide additional dedicated coverage, giving viewers across the continent access to one of the year’s biggest multi-sport events.
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