Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026

The 23rd Commonwealth Games will take place in Glasgow, Scotland from Thursday 23 July until Sunday 2 August 2026.

See the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games website for full details about venues and scheduling, sporting events, and ticketing updates. Tourist information and useful advice is also available on Visit Glasgow.

For news and information about the New Zealand team, visit Glasgow 2026 | New Zealand Olympic Team.

Before you go

New Zealanders in the UK or those travelling to attend the Commonwealth Games are encouraged to:

• Read and familiarise yourself with our travel advice for the United Kingdom.
• Register your travel details with us on SafeTravel, including any additional destinations outside the United Kingdom if applicable. Sharing your plans and contact details with us allows us to let you know about important updates about your travel destination, and changes to our travel advice.
• Be familiar with our advice for while you’re away, including attendance at major events.
• Take out comprehensive travel insurance, and make sure it covers all the activities you plan to undertake on your trip.
• In case your phone is lost or stolen, print any flight and accommodation bookings and write out a list of important contacts.

Visa and entry rules

Entry requirements for all travellers coming to the UK are set by the UK Government.  

Most visitors will need either a visa or an electronic travel authority (ETA) to travel to the UK.  Apply for your visa or ETA well in advance of your travel, and only through UK official channels.   

New rules mean if you are a dual national with British or Irish citizenship, you cannot get an ETA. When you travel to the UK you can prove your citizenship using:

• A valid British passport,
• Another valid passport with a certificate of entitlement that proves you have the right of abode in the UK,
• A valid Irish passport.

Be aware that you may have British citizenship automatically if you were either born in the UK or have a parent with British citizenship. Check if you have British citizenship.  

More advice on ETAs can be found here, and on our travel advisory page for the United Kingdom.   

Direct any other queries related to entry and exit requirements for the United Kingdom, including required travel documentation to the British High Commission in Wellington, New Zealand.

Safety and security

New Zealanders living in the UK or travelling to the Commonwealth Games should be alert to their surroundings at all times.  Be aware of opportunistic petty crime like pickpocketing, bag snatching, and mobile phone theft. These types of crimes are common and tend to occur in urban centres, tourist areas, on public transport, and the risk may increase with an influx of visitors.

You should:

• Be security conscious in public places, guard belongings carefully, and never leave bags unattended.
• Avoid leaving valuables in hotel rooms, rented accommodation, or vehicles due to the risk of burglary.
• As a precaution against drink spiking, never leave your drink unattended in a bar or nightclub.
• If your passport is stolen, report the theft to the police and apply immediately for a new passport online through New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs and call the New Zealand passport office in London on +44 20 7968 2730.
• Keep informed of potential risks to safety and security by monitoring the media and other local information sources. Follow any instructions issued by the local authorities.

Contacts

The emergency contact number in the United Kingdom is 999 for police, fire, and ambulance.

New Zealanders in need of urgent consular assistance can call the 24/7 consular emergency line on +64 99 20 20 20.

New Zealand High Commission in London, United Kingdom

Street Address:
 1 Pall Mall East, London, SW1Y 5AU, United Kingdom

Telephone:
+44 20 7930 8422

Email:
[email protected]

Website:
www.mfat.govt.nz/uk

Hours:
 Mon - Fri 0900 - 1700 hrs. Appointments are recommended.