By Joel Ajayi
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has partnered with What Network to ensure millions of Nigerians can watch Team Nigeria compete live and free at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, in a move aimed at bringing the nation’s athletes closer to fans and expanding the commercial value of sports.
The partnership, unveiled on Friday during a media briefing at the Media Centre of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, will see What Network deliver comprehensive free-to-air coverage of the Games through the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), TV Continental (TVC), and other interested terrestrial television stations.
Beyond traditional television, the Games will also be streamed live on digital platforms, including NSC TV on YouTube and What Network’s online channels, allowing Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to follow every event without subscription fees.
Announcing the initiative, Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, described the partnership as a landmark step in connecting Nigerians with Team Nigeria while inspiring a new generation of sports enthusiasts.
“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,” Olopade said.
“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.”
According to him, coverage will commence with the Opening Ceremony on July 23 and continue throughout the Games, ensuring viewers do not miss any of Team Nigeria’s events.
In addition to live broadcasts, Nigerians will enjoy a daily two-hour highlights programme featuring medal-winning performances, major moments, exclusive athlete interviews and behind-the-scenes content from Glasgow.
Olopade said the initiative reflects the Commission’s determination to make international sporting events accessible to all Nigerians while using sports as a catalyst for economic growth and national unity.
He explained that the project goes beyond television coverage, stressing that increased visibility for Nigerian athletes would attract corporate investment, sponsorship opportunities and wider commercial benefits for the country’s sports industry.
“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,” he said.
“When people watch sports, they become emotionally connected to the athletes, and that creates opportunities for sponsorships, endorsements and wealth creation. Sports must become an industry that creates value for everyone within the ecosystem.”
The NSC boss noted that broader television exposure would encourage corporate organisations to identify with Team Nigeria athletes and invest in their careers while giving families and communities across the country an opportunity to celebrate their sporting heroes.
Olopade also challenged Team Nigeria athletes to compete with confidence and ambition, urging them to target world-class performances rather than simply winning medals.
“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 important step in our preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games,” he stated.
He further appealed to the media to support the Commission’s ongoing sports reforms, particularly efforts to strengthen the domestic football league and improve its commercial viability.
According to him, a vibrant sports industry benefits not only athletes but also journalists, broadcasters, administrators and corporate partners.
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of Top Tier Sports Management and representative of What Network, Mrs. Chichi Nwoko, said the broadcast strategy was deliberately designed to ensure every Nigerian has unrestricted access to Team Nigeria’s performances throughout the Games.
“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,” she said.
She disclosed that, in addition to live television broadcasts, What Network would collaborate with TVC to air highlights and major moments from the Games while pushing extensive digital content through NSC TV on YouTube and What Network’s online platforms.
Nwoko described the Commonwealth Games as an important stage in Nigeria’s long-term Olympic preparations, saying young people should be able to follow the athletes’ journey beyond the Olympics alone.
“We see the Commonwealth Games as part of Nigeria’s journey to the Olympics. It is important that young people are inspired by what our athletes are doing. We will provide highlights, short clips and real-time updates across our digital platforms to ensure Nigerians never miss the action,” she said.
She also called on journalists to partner with the network in amplifying Team Nigeria’s achievements, noting that broadcast-ready highlight clips would be made available for television stations, newspapers, websites and social media platforms.
The collaboration is expected to significantly boost public engagement during the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games while giving millions of Nigerians the opportunity to support Team Nigeria live as the country’s athletes compete for medals and pursue record-breaking performances on one of the world’s biggest multi-sport stages.
