Announced during the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the alliance brings together sport, business, government and civil society to drive practical action that reduces the environmental footprint of major events, strengthens their social impact, and ensures economic benefits endure well beyond the closing ceremony.

Under the alliance, the organizations will establish a Commonwealth Sustainable Events Network creating a platform for current and future hosts of the Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Youth Games and other major events to exchange practical insights, share proven solutions, and accelerate the adoption of more sustainable event practices.

The announcement was made at the Commonwealth Sustainable Events Breakfast Roundtable, co hosted by the SMI, Glasgow 2026, Commonwealth Sport and the Royal Commonwealth Society, where leaders from sport, government, business and the sustainability world discussed what a lasting legacy for future Commonwealth events could look like in practice.

Sport reaches more than four billion fans worldwide, giving it a rare ability to shift behaviour and mobilize people at scale. With 56 member nations and one of the world's most diverse sporting communities, the Commonwealth is well placed to show what a more sustainable, inclusive and economically resilient approach to major events can look like.

The alliance builds on the King's Baton Relay Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, which mobilized communities across all 74 Commonwealth nations and territories and removed more than one million pieces of plastic from rivers, coastlines and waterways — proof of how a major sporting event can leave behind more than medals.

It also sits within SMI's Sport Pathfinder, which brings together organizations across sport, finance, media, technology and events to help make sustainability the default across the global sporting world, rather than the exception.

Work from the alliance will feed into the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda later this year, where the aim is to show, concretely, how sport can support the Commonwealth's wider sustainability goals.

Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, Chief Executive Officer of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, said: "Sport brings people together across cultures, generations and borders in a way almost nothing else can. This alliance gives us a chance to make major sporting events genuinely more sustainable, and to build models that other hosts across the Commonwealth — and beyond — can pick up and use. When business, governments, sporting organizations and civil society work together, we can drive the sustainable transition while strengthening communities and creating economic and social value that lasts."

Martin Reynolds, Deputy Chief Executive, Commonwealth Sport, said: “Glasgow 2026 has been about showing that major sporting events can be sustainable, affordable and impactful without compromising the athlete or fan experience. One of the most important things we can do now is capture those lessons and share them across the Commonwealth.

“By bringing together sport, business, government and civil society, we can help future hosts reduce environmental impact, strengthen community outcomes and build lasting legacies that extend well beyond competition.

“Through the Commonwealth Sustainable Events Network, we have an opportunity to create a shared playbook for the future."

Elizabeth van der Valk, Chief Operating Officer, Royal Commonwealth Society, said: "The Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign has shown that major sporting events can create lasting environmental and community impact. Together with more than 50 partner organizations, over 15,000 volunteers and communities across all 74 Commonwealth nations and territories, we have prevented more than one million pieces of plastic from entering our waterways.

The campaign's legacy is the blueprint it provides for the future. By sharing the lessons, partnerships and practical approaches that made this initiative successful, we can help future sporting and major events deliver lasting benefits for communities, the environment and future generations."

Phil Batty OBE, Glasgow 2026 Chief Executive, said: "Glasgow 2026 has been built around delivering a world-class sporting event, while also creating a greener Games that treads lighter on the planet. By making smarter choices, reusing existing venues and infrastructure, and working closely with partners across sectors, we have shown that major events can reduce their environmental footprint while continuing to create memorable experiences for athletes, fans and communities.

This alliance is an important step in ensuring the lessons from Glasgow 2026 do not end with these Games. By creating a platform to share knowledge and practical solutions across the Commonwealth, we can help future hosts accelerate progress, strengthen local communities and deliver lasting impact that extends far beyond sport.”