Nigerians will have the opportunity to watch Team Nigeria compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland live following a landmark partnership between the National Sports Commission (NSC) and What Network .
VDCInsights reports that the partnership has led to securing the broadcasting rights for a nationwide free-to-air coverage of the Games.
Under the arrangement, What Network has secured the free-to-air broadcast rights for Nigeria and will deliver live coverage through the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), TV Continental (TVC) and other interested terrestrial television stations.
The Games will also be streamed on digital platforms, including NSC TV on YouTube and What Network’s online channels, allowing fans to follow Team Nigeria’s campaign from anywhere in the world.
The Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko said the whole idea of bringing the Commonwealth Games to the living rooms of all Nigerians is part of expanding the sporting economy.
He argued that different people from analysts, presenters, content producers around the value chain will benefit and stressed that the Commission was dtermined to explore sports to boost the economy of the country.
Dikko lauded President Tinubu for always being gracious in supporting the youth through massive investments in sports which will soon trickle down to all Nigerians in one way or the other.
Speaking on Friday in Abuja at the unveiling of the to the media the Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, described the partnership as a significant step towards bringing the nation’s athletes closer to Nigerians at home and abroad.
Olopade said the Commission was committed to ensuring that every Nigerian becomes part of Team Nigeria’s journey at the Commonwealth Games.
According to him “Recognising the importance of bringing the Games into every Nigerian home, the National Sports Commission has partnered with What Network to deliver free-to-air coverage of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
He noted “Through this collaboration, every Nigerian will be able to follow Team Nigeria’s journey live and free, celebrating the dedication of our athletes and inspiring the next generation of sporting champions.”
”The According to him, coverage will begin with the Opening Ceremony on July 23 and continue throughout the competition, ensuring that all Team Nigeria events are accessible to viewers at no cost.”
”Beyond the live broadcasts, viewers will also enjoy a daily two-hour highlights programme featuring medal-winning performances, exclusive athlete interviews, key moments and behind-the-scenes content from Glasgow.”
Olopade explained that the initiative goes beyond broadcasting, describing it as part of the Commission’s broader strategy to promote Nigerian sports, inspire young talents and unlock new commercial opportunities for athletes.
He said “We don’t care what it will cost. The important thing is that Nigerians, whether they are at home or abroad, should be able to watch and support our athletes live. When people watch sports, they become emotionally connected to the athletes, and that creates opportunities for sponsorships, endorsements and wealth creation,”.
He added that increased television exposure would encourage greater corporate investment in Nigerian sports while enabling families and communities across the country to support Team Nigeria throughout the Games.
The NSC Director General noted that to whom much is given, much is expected and challenged the athletes to deliver outstanding performances in Glasgow to thank President Bola Tinubu for the massive support.
Olopade stated “I have told the athletes to go out there and compete for Nigeria. They should not just aim to win medals; they should aim to break world records. This is another step in our preparation towards the 2028 Olympic Games,” .
He further appealed to the media to support the Commission’s ongoing sports reforms, particularly efforts to reposition Nigerian football and strengthen the commercial value of the domestic league, stressing that a vibrant sports industry would benefit athletes, journalists, broadcasters and corporate partners.
The Chief Executive Officer of Top Tier Sports Management and representative of What Network, Chichi Nwoko, said the partnership was designed to eliminate barriers that prevent Nigerians from watching their national athletes compete on the international stage.
She said “We don’t want Nigerians to worry about subscriptions. Through our partnership with the NSC and NTA, the entire country will have access to Team Nigeria’s performances,” .
Nwoko pointed out that What Network would work closely with NTA Aand TVC to provide highlights and major moments from the Games, while extensive digital coverage would be delivered through NSC TV on YouTube and the network’s online platforms.
She described the Commonwealth Games as an important milestone on Nigeria’s journey to the Olympic Games, noting that young Nigerians should have the opportunity to follow and be inspired by the country’s athletes throughout the four-year Olympic cycle.
Nwoko said “We see the Commonwealth Games as part of Nigeria’s journey to the Olympics. Beyond television, we will provide highlights, short clips and real-time updates across our digital platforms. We are also encouraging the media to partner with us by using the highlight packages and clips to tell Team Nigeria’s story as it unfolds,”.
The partnership is expected to significantly boost nationwide interest in the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, ensuring that millions of Nigerians can cheer on Team Nigeria live while celebrating the country’s quest for medals and record-breaking performances on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages.”
