The medals for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will include braille for the first time. The Games will take place in the Scottish city from 23 July to 2 August 2026. Braille is a system of raised dots that helps blind or visually impaired people read by touch. The new medal design is meant to make the prizes more accessible and inclusive.
The medals were designed by award-winning artist Militsa Milenkova from the Glasgow School of Art. Her design includes tactile details linked to Glasgow, such as the Finnieston Crane and tartan. The medals also have a triangular shape inspired by the city’s coat of arms. Milenkova said she wanted to “make inclusion tangible” through the design.
There will be 215 medal events at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with up to 1,168 medals awarded. Around 3,000 athletes from 74 nations are expected to compete. The Games will include 10 sports and six para sports, with able-bodied and para events taking place as part of the same competition.
Other major sporting medals have also used braille or special features before. The 2024 Paris Paralympic medals included braille and different textures for gold, silver and bronze. The 2026 Commonwealth Games will also make history by having the biggest para sport medal tally in Commonwealth Games history.
