In a significant step toward hosting the most environmentally conscious Commonwealth Games in history, organizers have officially announced BYD (Build Your Dreams) as the Official Car Partner for Glasgow 2026.
This partnership marks a historic milestone for the Commonwealth movement, as BYD becomes the first-ever electrified vehicle partner in the event’s history. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment between the host city and the world’s leading New Energy Vehicle (NEV) manufacturer to drastically reduce the carbon footprint of large-scale sporting events.
Scheduled to run from July 23 to August 2, 2026, the Glasgow Games will see 3,000 elite athletes from 74 nations and territories descend upon the city. The event features a streamlined, high-impact program of 10 sports and six Para sports, held across four iconic venues within a concentrated eight-mile corridor.
Katie Shanahan, swimmer with Team Scotland, launches the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games’ official car partnership with BYD.
Pictured at Glasgow’s Riverside Museum.
Photography for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games from: Colin Hattersley
BYD will provide a dedicated fleet of 90 state-of-the-art vehicles to facilitate the complex logistics of the 11-day event. This fleet will be responsible for: Transporting of officials and dignitaries, supporting operational support crews and assisting in logistics across the primary competition corridor.
The fleet provided by BYD will showcase the brand’s diverse portfolio, including fully electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models. This includes selections from their high-end prestige lineup and their popular SUV range, all powered by BYD’s proprietary Blade Battery technology, which is renowned for its safety, durability, and efficiency.
Beyond the main event, BYD has also secured the role of Official Partner of Team Scotland. This ensures local athletes have the necessary transport support during their preparation and competition phases, while also providing vehicle support for the King’s Baton Relay activations throughout Scotland.
The announcement, held at Glasgow’s Riverside Museum alongside Commonwealth bronze medalist and Team Scotland star Katie Shanahan, highlighted the synergy between the two organizations.
Launching the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games’ official car partnership with BYD are Steve Beattie (BYD Deputy Country Manager) and Jade Gallagher (Glasgow 2026 Chief Operations Officer).
Pictured at Glasgow’s Riverside Museum.
Photography for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games from: Colin Hattersley
Steve Beattie, Deputy Country Manager at BYD UK, said;”BYD is hugely proud to become the Official Car Partner of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the event organizers creating a highly sustainable model for running the Games, BYD’s technology-led approach to reducing emissions makes it the perfect fit.”
Jade Gallagher, Chief Operating Officer of Glasgow 2026, emphasized the strategic nature of the deal;”One of our biggest ambitions for Glasgow 2026 is to be the most environmentally sustainable Commonwealth Games.
“We can’t achieve that without a partner like BYD who have a global reputation for innovation. By utilizing an eight-mile corridor, we’ve already reduced the volume of vehicles needed, and BYD will ensure that the remaining transport is as clean as possible.”
This partnership comes at a time of unprecedented growth for BYD in the British market. BYD is at the forefront of electrifying the UK automotive landscape, with its performance on the global stage mirrored by its sales figures on a domestic level. Through 2025, BYD achieved a 12.01% market share of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, ranking it as the number one New Emission Vehicle manufacturer.
Visit Glasgow2026.com to find the full sporting schedule and available tickets for the UK’s biggest sporting event this year.
