You will have no doubt heard, seen and experienced the success of the Olympic Games in London in 2012. Following on from that success the UK is set to host the 2014 commonwealth games, the third largest athletics event in the calendar behind the Olympics and the World championships. The event is coming to Scotland for the first time in over 20 years and Glasgow has been chosen as the Host city. Glasgow is a traditional working class city, built up around the ship building yards of the Clyde. This event is sure to bring thousands of athletic fans from across the globe and many of the venues are being purpose built and providing a huge amount of new opportunity to the locals to try out world class sporting facilities.
The commonwealth games are a competition for 71 Nations which are all part of the Commonwealth of Nations previously known as the British Commonwealth; only two members were not historically part of the British Empire and ruled by the British Monarchy. With countries like Canada, Jamaica and Australia in competition the quality of the events are likely to be high. The UK is not represented instead each of the individual Nations competing with England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each having their own individual teams.
There are 14 venues in total with the four main venues being Hampden, Emirates Arena, Commonwealth Pool and Tollcross International Swimming Centre. These venues will play host to some of the 17 sports that provide competition. These sports are:
- Aquatics
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Boxing
- Cycling
- Gymnastics
- Hockey
- Judo
- Lawn Bowls
- Netball
- Rugby Sevens
- Shooting
- Squash
- Table Tennis
- Triathlon
- Weightlifting
- Wrestling
With such a wide variety of events you are sure to find something that you and your family can enjoy. Event tickets will be at a premium and accommodation likely to be difficult to get inside the Glasgow area, but with Scotland accessible from anywhere in Scotland you will be able to choose a place that can give you some great local adventures and allow for an easy commute to your chosen event.
 
Two of the stadiums being used are owned by the most famous football clubs in the country and the two most successful football clubs in the world, Celtic Park and Ibrox Stadium. With 2014 also being the year of the Homecoming a celebration for all those with ancestral links to Scotland to come and experience first-hand the delights of Modern Scotland. There will also be the 2014 Ryder Cup returning home to Scotland which is the birthplace of Golf. And not to forget the 2014 independence referendum when Scotland will vote for its right to be a free an independent nation removing itself from the UK.
With so much happening in 2014 can you afford not to visit?
