Loughborough University Becomes Exclusive Education Partner to Team England Ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games

(L-R) Mark Osikoya, Chief Executive Office, Commonwealth Games England, Professor Jo Maher, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sport at Loughborough University, Professor Nick Jennings, Vice-Chancellor and President of Loughborough University,

(IN BRIEF) Loughborough University has secured a landmark partnership with Team England ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, becoming the team’s exclusive education sector partner and the first institution in Games history to feature on official podium kit. The University will host Team England’s multi-sport immersion camps and welcome athletes and staff to campus for Kitting Out events, providing accommodation at Burleigh Court and the Elite Athlete Centre. Senior leaders from both organisations highlighted their shared commitment to excellence and performance, with the partnership also extending to the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta.

(PRESS RELEASE) LOUGHBOROUGH, 11-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Loughborough University has entered into a significant new partnership with Team England ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, marking a major milestone in its longstanding involvement in elite sport. The agreement positions the University as Team England’s exclusive education sector partner for the upcoming Games in Glasgow, which will welcome approximately 3,000 athletes from across the Commonwealth to compete on the global stage for the first time in the city since 2014.

Under the terms of the partnership, Loughborough’s branding will feature prominently on all Team England podium kit, including the attire worn during medal ceremonies. This represents the first time in the 95-year history of the Commonwealth Games that an education institution will have visible presence on official podium wear.

Beyond branding, Loughborough will play a central role in Team England’s preparation for the Games. The University will host a series of immersion camps across multiple sports, providing athletes and coaches with access to its elite training facilities and performance environment. Team England personnel will also visit campus for dedicated Kitting Out events, where athletes and staff will receive official kit supplied by Kukri, including ceremonial, village, training, and competition wear. During their time at Loughborough, members of the team will stay at Burleigh Court Conference Centre and Hotel, as well as the Elite Athlete Centre and Hotel.

Professor Jo Maher, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sport at Loughborough University, described the partnership as a historic moment for the institution. She highlighted that the visibility on podium kit marks a unique first for the Games and reflects the depth of Loughborough’s relationship with Team England, which has strengthened over multiple competition cycles. Professor Maher emphasised the alignment between both organisations, noting their shared commitment to sporting excellence, innovation, and pushing boundaries. She added that many Team England athletes and practitioners are already familiar with Loughborough’s world-class facilities, making the University a natural home for their pre-Games preparations.

Mark Osikoya, Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Games England, said that Loughborough University has long been a pillar of English sport and that deepening the partnership ahead of Glasgow 2026 would provide Team England with the best possible environment to prepare for success. He noted that the University’s expertise and facilities would play a crucial role in helping athletes perform at their peak, reinforcing a shared ambition for excellence and readiness to win.

The collaboration will extend beyond Glasgow, with Loughborough’s partnership also covering Team England’s participation in the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will take place from 23 July to 2 August, featuring 3,000 athletes representing 74 nations competing across 10 sports. The event will also include a fully integrated Para sports programme.

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Source: Loughborough University