David Liti and Moira de Villiers lead New Zealand team at Glasgow Commonwealth Games opening

The 23rd Commonwealth Games have officially commenced in Glasgow, Scotland, with weightlifter David Liti and judoka Moira de Villiers leading the New Zealand delegation during an indoor opening ceremony on Thursday, 23 July 2026. Liti was the nation’s flag bearer, while de Villiers carried the relay baton, which was uniquely designed by each participating team for the event. According to RNZ, the ceremony was held at the OVO Hydro and reflected a "re-imagined" approach to the multi-sport event. The Games moved to Glasgow following financial concerns in other potential host regions, marking a return to the city just 12 years after it last hosted in 2014. King Charles III officially declared the Games open after arriving at the venue in a Tardis alongside Queen Camilla and Scottish cyclist Chris Hoy. Organising committee chair George Black emphasized Glasgow's readiness to step in, stating that the world deserves to see the competition continue. Commonwealth Sport president Dr Ronald Rukare remarked that the ceremony aimed to treat every flag as equal, focusing on connection through sport rather than just competition. The event featured limited seating capacity and an understated atmosphere, with various performers translating the history of Glasgow through song and dance. New Zealand's Chef De Mission spoke from Glasgow ahead of the launch, noting the significance of the event for the athletes. The NZ team joined others in planting their representative batons around the stage, a change from traditional relay protocols, to signify the start of the competition in its streamlined format.