NORTHERN Ireland will be among the world’s top 12 Netball nations set to go head-to-head next summer at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, in one of the most anticipated events of the Games.
The 23rd edition of the Games will welcome 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories between July 23 and August 2.
With 215 gold medals up for grabs over 10 days and 133 sessions of sport, including more than 50 medal sessions, the city is set to come alive with exhilarating competition and unforgettable moments of sporting drama.
The Netball competition will take place from Saturday, July 25 to Sunday, August 2, 2026 in the iconic Hydro, promising nine days of incredible sport, 38 matches and an electric atmosphere.
Glasgow 2026 will feature the top 12 ranked Netball nations in the world, as determined by the World Netball World Rankings on September 2025, with Northern Ireland qualifying in 12th, ensuring a high calibre and fiercely competitive event.
All four UK home nations — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — are once again set to take to the Commonwealth Games court, continuing the legacy they began at Glasgow 2014, when they made Games history by competing together for the first time.
Their collective presence will ensure that the Hydro atmosphere is electric with thousands of fans set to travel to Glasgow, from all four corners of the UK.
The confirmed nations announced today are (in alphabetical order):
• Australia
• England
• Jamaica
• Malawi
• New Zealand
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland
• South Africa
• Tonga
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Uganda
• Wales
Netball NI chair Karen Rollo-Stewart said: “We are immensely proud that our Warriors will once again represent Team NI at the Commonwealth Games — marking their fourth consecutive appearance on this prestigious international stage.
“Maintaining a top-12 world ranking consistently over the past decade is a tremendous achievement and a testament to the Warriors’ resilience, talent, and dedication. Competing against the world’s best, our athletes continue to demonstrate the determination and pride that define Northern Ireland netball.
“We would like to thank Team NI for their continued support throughout our qualification process and preparations. Their collaboration with our performance team and support from the Sport Institute Northern Ireland will be invaluable in helping ensure our athletes are in the best possible shape to compete on the world stage.
“The Commonwealth Games provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase the passion and strength of our sport, raise the profile of Northern Ireland Netball, and inspire the next generation of players.
“As we look ahead, we are also seeking partners and individual athlete sponsors to join us on this exciting journey. Your support will help our athletes prepare, perform, and continue to make Northern Ireland proud at the highest level.”
Netball officially joined the Commonwealth Games programme in 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, following its debut as a demonstration sport in Auckland in 1990. Since then, it has become one of the most anticipated team sports at the Games.
The Australian Diamonds — reigning Commonwealth and Netball World Cup champions — return to defend their title after a thrilling 55–51 victory over Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls in the Birmingham 2022 final. As the most successful nation in Commonwealth Games Netball history, the Diamonds have claimed four gold medals and appeared in seven finals, firmly establishing their dominance on the international stage and one of the must-see teams in the tournament.
New Zealand’s gold medal win over Australia in 2010 remains one of the most legendary matches in Commonwealth Games history.
The final stretched to an extraordinary 84 minutes and was decided in double extra time. Eight years later, the Gold Coast 2018 final delivered another unforgettable moment, as the England Roses stunned the Netball world by defeating Australia 52–51 with a – now iconic – last-second goal. That dramatic victory not only marked England as the third nation ever to win Commonwealth Netball gold but also inspired a new generation of players and fans across the UK and beyond.
Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls have consistently challenged the sport’s traditional powerhouses of Australia and New Zealand having claimed three bronze medals in Manchester 2002, Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018, narrowly missing out on a podium finish in 2006 after losing by just one goal to England in a dramatic 53–52 bronze medal match.
Jamaica’s breakthrough came at Birmingham 2022, where they reached the final for the first time and earned a historic silver medal.
A full copy of the sport competition schedule can be found at https://www.glasgow2026.com/schedule/day-by-day-event-schedule and a full Netball match schedule will be released later this month.
Tickets for Glasgow 2026 are on sale now, with Netball tickets priced from £17-65 for non medal matches and £26-85 for medal matches.
To find out more and to secure your tickets visit www.glasgow2026.com
