The numbers behind NI’s 158 Commonwealth Games medals
Northern Ireland's athletes passed a landmark 150 Commonwealth Games medals at the 2026 Glasgow Games, taking their all-time tally to 158 after winning 16 medals at this edition. The milestone caps a historically strong showing for the team and comes almost a century after Northern Ireland first competed at the Games, reflecting the sustained development of NI sport across athletics, boxing, bowls and swimming.
At Glasgow 2026, Northern Ireland claimed three golds, four silvers and nine bronzes, the second-highest medal haul in its Commonwealth Games history. Highlights included Kate O'Connor's dominant heptathlon gold, Jon McConnell's boxing gold, and Gary Kelly and Adam McKeown's win in the men's pairs bowls final, with six further medals in boxing and four in swimming. The article traces NI's medal history back to 1934, through landmark performances such as Mary Peters' and Mike Bull's golds in 1970, a record five golds in 1994, and the team's most successful Games to date in Birmingham 2022 with seven golds and seven silvers.
- Northern Ireland passed 150 Commonwealth Games medals, reaching 158 overall.
- Glasgow 2026 haul: three golds, four silvers, nine bronzes.
- Second-best medal tally in NI's Commonwealth Games history.
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The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport event held every four years for athletes from countries and territories linked to the Commonwealth. Northern Ireland competes as a separate team, alongside other parts of the UK.
Northern Ireland first took part in 1934. Its medals have come across several sports, including boxing, athletics, bowls and swimming, with past milestones helping put the latest total in context.
The tally reflects results built up across many Games, rather than a single sport or generation of athletes. It offers one way to understand Northern Ireland’s record in international sport.