Commonwealth Games 2026 Medals: Inside look at the Groundbreaking Design

For nearly a century, Commonwealth Games medals stuck to one unwritten rule: they were round. Glasgow just tore that rulebook up. As the 23rd edition of the Games gets underway in Scotland from July 23 to August 2, the medals athletes will chase are unlike anything the tournament has ever produced.

A Shape Rooted in Glasgow’s History

Since the Renaissance, medals have almost always been circular — Olympic medals have never strayed from that shape except for a rectangular exception at the 1900 Games. Glasgow has broken from that tradition entirely, designing its medals as a Reuleaux triangle, a shape formed by three intersecting circular arcs. Created by Bulgarian-born artist Militsa Milenkova, the design is a direct nod to Glasgow’s own coat of arms, which carries the same distinctive triangular form.

Built for Every Athlete

Beyond the striking shape, the medals also feature raised braille lettering, ensuring visually impaired athletes can experience them fully. Engraved patterns inspired by the Finnieston Crane — one of Glasgow’s most recognisable landmarks — run across the design, alongside a tartan texture with three raised levels symbolising the three podium steps.

Commonwealth Games 2026 Key Details

India’s Push for the Podium

India finished fourth at the 2022 Birmingham Games with 61 medals and will look to improve on that tally this year, led by stalwarts like two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra and flag-bearer Mirabai Chanu. Full event schedules and results are available on the official Commonwealth Games Federation website.

For more Commonwealth Games 2026 coverage and India’s medal updates, check out our Sports section on TechnoSports.