By Peter Ndukwe
Outlander star Sam Heughan says he is “overjoyed and extremely proud” after being named the inaugural celebrity ambassador for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The Scottish actor, known worldwide for playing Highland warrior Jamie Fraser in the hit drama Outlander, will feature in a new TV campaign promoting the Games, which return to Glasgow next summer — 12 years after the city last hosted the event.
Heughan Joins Sporting Legends in Glasgow 2026 Campaign
In the upcoming advert, Heughan appears as a sports enthusiast, celebrating athletic excellence alongside an impressive line-up of stars:
- Jake Wightman, world 1,500m silver medallist
- Alex “Tattie” Marshall, five-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist
- Emily Campbell, Olympic weightlifting champion and fellow Games ambassador
“I am overjoyed and extremely proud to be joining the Glasgow 2026 team,” Heughan said. “We have amazing athletes coming to Glasgow to compete for their countries, and I can’t wait for them to experience the pride, warmth and energy of Scottish crowds — some of the best in the world.”
A Full-Circle Moment for the ‘Outlander’ Star
Reflecting on the city’s previous Games, Heughan described the appointment as a “full-circle moment.”
“When Glasgow last hosted the Games in 2014, we had just started filming the first season of Outlander, and there was such a buzz in the city,” he said. “Now, I’ve finished the final season and the Games are back — and this time I won’t be missing a moment.”
Glasgow 2026 to Welcome 74 Nations
The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will see more than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations, including Nigeria, competing across 10 sports and six Para sports.