Malta hosts King’s Baton Relay on the Road to Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

The Relay brought together athletes, students, community organisations, sport federations, and the public in general, across Malta and Gozo in a vibrant celebration of Commonwealth values.

For the first time in the history of the Commonwealth Games, each of the 74 Commonwealth nations and territories received its own Baton to customise and decorate as an expression of its unique culture and identity.

All 74 Batons will be reunited at the Opening Ceremony of Glasgow 2026, where the Scotland Baton will be presented to His Majesty The King, and the message will be read aloud to formally declare the Games open.

Inspired by the three CGF values – Humanity, Equality, Destiny – the Baton is crafted from three interlocking pieces of sustainably sourced Scottish ash hardwood. The negative spaces where the pieces meet are an intentional design feature, symbolising the connections that bind the Commonwealth together.

In a return to tradition echoing the very first Queen’s Baton Relay in Cardiff in 1958, the Baton takes a classic, elegant form – simple, sustainable, and free of complex electronics, serving as a blank canvas for each nation to make its own.

The Maltese Baton was designed by students from the MCAST Institute for the Creative Arts, who rose to the challenge with remarkable creativity and craft.

Their design weaves together the symbols and soul of Malta: the iconic Luzzu, the watchful eye believed to protect fishermen at sea, the warm tones of Maltese limestone, and the exuberant colours of the traditional village festa.

In keeping with the Baton’s ethos, sustainable materials were selected throughout the production of the design.

The King’s Baton visited two schools on the Maltese mainland.

At Santa Monica School in Gżira, students had the opportunity to engage with the Baton and be part of the Commonwealth story.

The programme also featured a meaningful community partnership: in collaboration with local environmental NGO Żibel, the Commonwealth Sport Malta team joined a clean-up initiative in St Julian’s.

Together, 43 dedicated volunteers collected an impressive 1,031kg of marine debris and land litter.

Saturday afternoon brought a gathering of sport, as Athletics Malta, the Malta Golf Association, and the Malta Rugby Football Union joined the relay and brought their members together around the Baton.

On Sunday morning, despite persistent rain, the Beach Handball team pressed on with training and enthusiastically embraced the occasion.

Commonwealth Sport Malta made a deliberate choice to extend the relay’s reach to all affiliated associations and federations – including those whose sports are not on the Glasgow 2026 programme – affirming that the Commonwealth spirit belongs to every athlete.

On Monday, the Baton crossed to Gozo, where students at Gozo College Rabat Primary School participated in a fun and engaging sports day.

As the Baton made its way around the islands, it drew the attention of curious onlookers who stopped to ask questions and capture the moment.

Athletes earmarked for possible selection for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth Youth Games to be hosted in Malta in 2027 were also part of the journey, including Sasha Gatt (swimming), Aiden Muscat (triathlon), Kayla Slack (athletics), Sophie St John (gymnastics), and Tenishia Thornton (weightlifting).

The King’s Baton Relay concluded at the Residence of the British High Commissioner, where a ceremony – hosted by Her Excellency Victoria Busby OBE, was held to recognise the contributions of those who brought the Maltese Baton to life.

Members of the MCAST design team and representatives of Żibel were presented with certificates and mementos to mark the occasion.

“The King’s Baton Relay has been a truly special chapter for Commonwealth Sport Malta,” Maltese Olympic Committee president Julian Pace Bonello said.

“Seeing the Baton travel from school playgrounds to shoreline clean-ups, and from athletic tracks to the streets of Gozo, has shown what the Commonwealth stands for at its best — connection, participation, and a shared sense of purpose.

“We are proud of our MCAST students, our partner organisations, and every volunteer and athlete who made this Relay a success. Glasgow 2026 awaits, and Malta will be ready.”