Oceania region to join Commonwealth Games relay following Baton launch by King Charles

Patron of the Commonwealth, His Majesty, King Charles, launched the inaugural Commonwealth Kings Baton Relay for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games at the Buckingham Palace on Monday.

King Charles placed his message into the Baton before he passed it to the first Baton-bearer Sir Chris Hoy.

This marks 500 days the Commonwealth Baton will travel through respective Commonwealth countries, arriving in Glasgow, Scotland, where the games will be held. And the King, to read his message before opening the games.

Commonwealth Sport President Chris Jenkins said, “We are delighted that The King is launching a Baton Relay reimagined for this new era, connecting the Commonwealth and celebrating culture, diversity, and, through our partnership with the Royal Commonwealth Society, a shared sustainable future.

“With special thanks to Longines for their support, the King’s Baton Relay will celebrate our athletes, past, present, and future, and unite our communities, enabling millions of people to join the countdown to the Commonwealth Games.”

The Baton travels to the Caribbean, where it toured Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday culminating its journey at St Vincent and the Grenadines.

It will make its journey to the continent of Africa on the 15th of June. For the first time, the Kings Baton each of the 74 nations and territories will receive its own Baton, crafted in Glasgow.

The Baton will tour the Oceania region from the 2nd of January to the 26th of March 2026. The King’s Baton Relay will culminate at the Opening Ceremony of Glasgow 2026 on 23 July 2026, a traditional and fundamental part of the Commonwealth Games.

As part of the reimagined Relay, all 74 batons will be reunited, and His Majesty's call to the athletes of the Commonwealth to come together in friendly competition will be read aloud by The King to mark the official start of the Commonwealth Games.