What number Baton Relay is the Glasgow 2026 King’s Baton Relay? It is the 18th King’s Baton Relay.
The relay is a ceremonial tradition of the Commonwealth Games. A baton carries a message from the monarch to athletes, travelling through participating Commonwealth nations and territories before reaching the opening ceremony. Glasgow 2026’s relay was launched at Buckingham Palace on 10 March 2025.
The 2026 edition was notable for being the first King’s Baton Relay under King Charles III, following the accession of Charles in 2022. It was also designed around a more flexible format, allowing each of the 74 Commonwealth Games Associations time to organise local celebrations. The relay culminated at Glasgow’s opening ceremony on 23 July 2026.
The number can be confused with the 23rd Commonwealth Games themselves: Glasgow 2026 is officially the XXIII Commonwealth Games, but its baton relay is the 18th.