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Glasgow’s George Square will remain closed for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, officials have confirmed, after an MP urged the council to accelerate the works. The city’s main civic space will remain closed for the Games next summer, with the reopening expected just days after the Games conclude on August 2. The space is undergoing works that may repair some of the damage done in 1998, when trees were removed, grassy areas were reduced, and tarmac was laid down. During an appearance at the Scottish Affairs Committee, officials were asked whether the council could push forward the date to align with the sporting event. But MPs were told the council had no plan to accelerate the opening and that if it was possible plans "would have been scoped out" already. Asked to confirm whether George Square would still be closed for the Games, director of culture, tourism and events at Glasgow Life, Billy Garrett, said: "My understanding at the moment is that that will not reopen until just after the Commonwealth." Councillor Annette Christie, culture, sport and international relations, said: "It was very important for the city council - although as enthusiastic as we are for welcoming the Games - that it would not hinder our day-to-day business and supporting our ambitions for the city and for the people of the city, and that is why the works for George Square went ahead as planned." Scottish Affairs Committee chairwoman Patricia Ferguson, the Labour MP for Glasgow West, said it was "not the best vision when you leave the station", but added: "These things happen I suppose." Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, Angus MacDonald, told the officials: "I don't understand why you would not accelerate things. "You're only due to open after the Games but to fast-forward by a couple of months, it must be doable - it's a whole year away." Denise Hamilton, head of communities and regulatory services at the council, said: "It's a major infrastructure project that's had years of planning to get to the point where there's a spade in the ground where we are now. "I think everyone's disappointed the square is not going to be available but at the end of the process we'll have an amazing square for the people of Glasgow and people coming into Glasgow. "I think if there were opportunities they will have been scoped out and, unfortunately, the square will not be open at the time the Games will be here." Pressed on whether the council could find a way to accelerate the project, Ms Hamilton said: "That's not something I can comment on here today. "As I say, it's been years in the planning to get to the point where we are currently in the process of digging up the square and that, as anyone that's involved with major infrastructure projects, infrastructure projects, knows, it's not easy to change the final year of the project, given the amount of planning it's taken to get to this point." Mr Garrett insisted Glasgow will be "more than ready" to welcome visitors in 2026, adding: "I am absolutely confident that the visitor experience to Glasgow come the summer of 2026 will be exceptional." People living within Glasgow postcode areas have been given the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the games. Tickets start at £17, with tickets for medal sessions starting at £26. The sale for people living in Glasgow postcodes continues until 9am Friday (October 24), when it will be opened up to people living throughout Scotland, before a general sale follows starting October 30. Join Glasgow Live's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Sign up to our daily Glasgow Live newsletter here to receive news and features direct to your inbox.
