Here are the headlines from a busy day for Glasgow, Scotland and Scottish sport:

• Glasgow will host the Commonwealth Games for the first time in over a decade in 2026 after receiving backing from the Scottish and UK governments
• The Scottish government insists the Games will not cost the public purse a penny
• Instead, funding will come from Commonwealth Games Scotland, the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Australia, who were initially supposed to be hosting the event in Victoria before having to pull out due to spiralling costs
• The event will be a stripped-down version of the previous Glasgow Games, with just 10 sports taking place across four venues, down from 18 in 2014.
• Swimmer Ross Murdoch, who won gold in the 200m breaststroke in 2014, says the Games can be the “pinnacle of people’s career” and could be a “stepping stone” for some aspiring athletes.
• Health secretary Neil Gray says he hoped the new, streamlined format can preserve the Games’ future and open it up to a more diverse range of host countries and cities.

That's all from our live coverage of today's events. This page was edited by Paul McLaren and the writers were Katy Scott and James Delaney.

A welcome windfall for Glasgow?published at 15:53 British Summer Time 17 September

15:53 BST 17 September

David Henderson
BBC Scotland Correspondent

Some in Glasgow relish the prospect of the Games returning to the city.

A fortnight of sporting events will bring in fans from all over the world.

Official figures show the 2014 Games attracted 690,000 visitors.

Between them, they spent 2.9 million "visitor days" in Scotland.

A smaller 2026 Games might not achieve those heady heights, but the effect would be similar.

So bars, restaurants and hotels stand to gain.

Stephen Montgomery of the Scottish Hospitality Group predicts a great boost for Glasgow and excitement from hoteliers.

If done properly, he says, this will see hotels fully booked for a fortnight, while the event is on.

But he says the visitor experience has to be better than when Glasgow hosted the COP26 Climate Change summit, as travel around the city faced major disruption.

Donald MacLeod, who owns the Garage nightclub and campaigns for the city's night-time economy, says bringing the Games to Glasgow is "a no-brainer".

With visitor numbers down, he says, Glasgow needs it more than ever, and there's an appetite for it, too.

But he says the city needs to lower the barriers he claims are putting people off - the LEZ zone, big parking fees and a lack of public transport.

In 2014, some parts of Glasgow felt a bit left out.

So other businesses across the city will wonder if these Games will bring disruption or opportunity.

And they'll want to see the public purse protected, so they're not paying too much for the event.

Image source, get

Hannah Miley, two-time Commonwealth swimming champion, is backing Glasgow 2026 to be "spectacular".

She says the event means a lot to Scottish athletes who get to compete under the Scottish flag.

"It brings back a lot of very good memories," she says. "So it would be a great opportunity to have it again in 2026.

"But I think it's going to be looking slightly different compared to what it was in 2014 so I'm really intrigued to see what the set up will be."

The swimmer accepts the 2026 Games might miss out on certain sports as the budget will be more restricted and the event will rely on facilities that are already in place, so she has some "mixed emotions".

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray says Glasgow 2026 is an opportunity for the city to demonstrate "yet again its ability to put on fantastic sporting events".

"There are still a few hoops to jump through but I'm very much looking forward to an incredible celebration of sport and seeing Scottish athletes in action in front of a home crowd," he adds.

He said he was pleased the UK government had worked with the Scottish government to get a positive outcome.

The Scottish Conservatives’ health spokesman Sandesh Gulhane is “delighted” the Games will be returning to Glasgow.

But he says the appearance of the city will need to be “much-improved” before athletes from across the globe arrive.

“The city proved a decade ago that it can rise to the challenge of hosting such a major event – and even though the 2026 event will be slimmed down – I know they will do so again,” he says.

“This will put Glasgow on the map around the world and it is an ideal chance to promote everything that is great about it."

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar says the Glasgow 2026 announcement is "fantastic" news for the city and Scotland.

He says Glasgow is a great city but it needs "economic investment and renewal".

“By hosting the games, we can showcase Glasgow and Scotland on the international stage and bring investment and tourism here," Sarwar adds.

“This is our chance to complete the legacy of the 2014 games, show global leadership and deliver the change that Glasgow needs.

“We must all work together so that the people and businesses of Glasgow and across Scotland benefit.”

Neil Gray has been telling us he accepts Glasgow 2026 will be a different type of Games.

"I don’t think we should shy away from that, I think we should actually look to celebrate that as something that means we are able to take forward a model that, up until now, seemed like it was not going to proceed because of the failure of the bid in Victoria," the cabinet minister says.

"We are now coming forward with a model that will be a more sustainable offering to make sure the Commonwealth Games can be hosted in the future and we see a more diverse mix of countries and cities looking to host the Games in the future.”

More from Neil Gray now, and the health secretary wants the 2026 Games to showcase the best of Scotland, much as they did when they rolled into the city a decade ago.

However, he does not feel the event will tarnish the legacy of 2014.

Glasgow being ready for action is keypublished at 15:08 British Summer Time 17 September

15:08 BST 17 September

David Henderson
BBC Scotland Correspondent

When Glasgow hosted the Commonwealth Games 10 years ago, there was a clamour for a legacy.

Could the event leave a lasting impact on the city and its people?

It's clear that legacy was mixed.

There's little sign it improved Glasgow's health or the number of people taking part in sport, as some had hoped for.

But there's been one enduring result.

At short notice, Glasgow can host a major sporting event like the Commonwealth Games.

That's something few other cities in the world can match.

Key to this are the Hydro and the Emirates Arena - two massive venues, built in the run up to the 2014 Games.

The Hydro's become a premier concert venue - a draw for some of the world's biggest music stars.

The Emirates is one of the UK's biggest sporting venues - able to host top cycling, basketball and tennis events.

They're already built, so there's no extra cost.

With the Games at risk, Glasgow's geared up to step in as host, at very short notice.

That's a legacy many will be proud of.

Cabinet minister Neil Gray has given "a categorical assurance" that the Games’ return to Scotland will not cost the public purse a single penny.

Gray says a “substantial contingency” was in place alongside an improved offer for the Games’ budget from Commonwealth Games Scotland, the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Australia.

“We’ve been interrogating this to a very great degree over the last couple of months to make sure there is no call upon the Scottish government finance," he tells BBC Scotland News

“It is going to be smaller, it’s going to be a different concept and I think it’s important for us to recognise that, but also celebrate the fact that we are able to continue with an offering that means we’ve got a very clear pathway and a very important pathway for our elite sports participants here in Scotland.”

If you're just joining us, the Scottish government has confirmed Glasgow is to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Scotland's Health Secretary Neil Gray, whose remit also covers sport, says Glasgow will deliver a "world-class sporting event which will reimagine the Commonwealth Games for future generations".

A scaled-down version of the event, featuring fewer sports and athletes, will return to the city 12 years after it last hosted the games.

The Australian state of Victoria was originally chosen to stage the multi-sport event but withdrew as host due to rising costs.

Australian authorities have promised "a multi-million pound investment" to help finalise the deal.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) says it is delighted that Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) has received government support to host the event in 2026.

CGF president Chris Jenkins says the £100m investment from the CGF was at the heart of discussions which took place over several months.

Glasgow 2026 will not need financial underwriting from either the Scottish or UK governments, he adds, and a £2.3m contribution from Commonwealth Games Australia will help deliver the event.

Mr Jenkins says: "We believe Glasgow 2026 will be an important first step in our commitment to reset and reframe the Commonwealth Games as a co-created, sustainable model that minimises costs, inspires athletes, and excites hosts and international federations."

The former first minister Lord McConnell, who was involved in the successful bid for the 2014 Games, believes Glasgow getting the Games will be good for the city, Scotland and Scottish sport.

“It would help the city spruce itself up a bit and use these amazing facilities again and promote itself on the international stage,” he says.

“The reason some people have said this is a no brainer is because the funds for these Games are coming from the taxpayers of Victoria, Australia, who had set aside the money but didn’t want to deliver the Games.

“So the funds are there and ready for Glasgow to use and the very small amount that will need to be spent in Glasgow frankly is long overdue to be spent anyway.”

He says Scotland hosting the event could help to “rescue” the Commonwealth Games, especially with the design of the scaled-down version which would be “financially viable” for other cities to host.

"We'll maybe see the Commonwealth Games finally make it to Africa and be held again in south east Asia after decades."

Ian Reid CBE, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, says he believes Glasgow can deliver a memorable, if stripped-back, version of the games.

He says the event’s “high standard of competition can be achieved within the designated budget”.

In a statement which has just been released, he adds: “Glasgow is one of the few cities in the Commonwealth that can deliver on time given its world class facilities, experienced workforce and strong supply chain.

“This is a really exciting opportunity and we will be working hard over the coming days to bring the final pieces of the puzzle together.

“I would like to thank both the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Australia for their confidence and financial contributions to the project, which have ensured that the Games can continue, that public funds will not be required and which delivers a significant economic boost to the City of Glasgow and to Scotland.”

Image source, Getty Images

As we've been reporting, swimmer Ross Murdoch has been very vocal about his support for a Glasgow Games.

Among other athletes, there are mixed feelings.

Games gold medallist Eilish McColgan believes that there "needs to be changes made to the current format" but badminton medallist Kirsty Gilmour told BBC Scotland News that the short time frame to get the Games ready could hamper the atmosphere.

Read more from them and athlete Jake Wightman here.

Image source, Getty Images

Ross Murdoch, who won gold in the 200m breaststroke at the 2014 Glasgow Games, earlier said he desperately hoped Scotland would save the event, which he described as a “stepping stone” for aspiring athletes.

“It can also be the pinnacle of other people’s career,” he told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland.

“We could be on the right side of history here in preserving something to support future generations of athletes.”

He said that while he competed in two Olympic Games, he didn't consider them a reality until he competed in the Commonwealth Games.

“For me, the Commonwealth Games was the real start of my career,” he said.

“I think it would be a real shame to lots of people who grew up watching the Commonwealth Games and who have aspired to be there. I really think we'd be missing out on opportunities."

Is it worth the money?published at 13:50 British Summer Time 17 September

13:50 BST 17 September

David Henderson
BBC Scotland Correspondent

As ministers prepare to confirm their decision to host these games, that tough financial question will be at the front of their minds.

No wonder they've been cautious.

The Australian state of Victoria dumped these Games when the costs ballooned to more than £3bn.

A staggering sum, which State Premier Daniel Andrews claimed was "more than twice the estimated economic benefit" it would bring to Victoria.

"That is all cost and no benefit", he said.

Glasgow hopes to achieve the opposite.

For a start these plans are set to be far more modest, with a scaled-down event, and fewer sports than normal.

But this will still be a big international event, costing millions.

Venue hire and policing are two big costs, and they can only trim back so far.

When Glasgow hosted the Games in 2014, they cost £543m to stage.

Between them the Scottish government and Glasgow City Council put in £425m towards the overall cost.

But there were benefits: an estimated £740m boost to the Scottish economy, including £390m for Glasgow.

By that measure, the gain outweighed the pain.

This time, the Games are set to cost far less.

Amid public spending cuts, there's little appetite for an expensive event.

So with a budget of less than £150m, a cheap and cheerful event looks likely.

But will a pared-back Games lack the lustre needed to attract visitors - and make it a success?

Image source, Getty Images

Glasgow hosted the Games in 2014 amid huge fanfare - but we can expect a very different event this time around.

The 2014 edition featured an opening ceremony at Celtic Park, as well as athletics at Hampden, which also hosted the closing ceremony.

But to save money only four venues would be used in 2026 – including Scotstoun Stadium and the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

The scaled-back version would feature between 10 and 13 sports, compared to 18 in 2014.

It comes after the Scottish government insisted it would not spend a penny from the public purse on the Games at a time of public service budget cuts.

If you're just joining us, a deal to allow Glasgow to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games has been backed by the Scottish government, BBC Scotland understands.

A scaled-down version of the event, featuring fewer sports and athletes, will return to the city 12 years after it last hosted the games.

The Australian state of Victoria was originally chosen to stage the multi-sport event but withdrew as host due to rising costs.

Australian authorities have promised "a multi-million pound investment" to help finalise the deal.

Formal confirmation of the decision is expected shortly.

Stick with us here for all the reaction and analysis.

Image source, Getty Images

The Scottish government was initially against the idea of stepping in to save the Games after Victoria pulled out.

Ministers had been offered £2.3m by the UK government to help cover safety and security costs associated with the privately-funded event - if Holyrood matched that funding.

Scotland said no - but the '"game-changer" came when Commonwealth Games Australia last week promised "a multi-million pound investment" to help finalise the deal.