1978 Commonwealth Games

Host city selection and context

The right to host the 1978 Commonwealth Games was awarded to Edmonton following a bid election held during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. This placed the event in Alberta just two years after Canada had hosted the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec. The selection of Edmonton continued Canada's prominent role in hosting major international sporting events during that era. The Games were staged during a period of political tension within the Commonwealth, which directly impacted participation and led to two notable boycotts.

Political boycotts and participation

The 1978 Games were affected by significant political boycotts, reflecting wider Commonwealth disputes over apartheid in South Africa. Nigeria chose to boycott the event in protest at New Zealand's ongoing sporting contacts with South Africa. Uganda also boycotted, citing alleged Canadian hostility towards the government of Idi Amin. Despite these absences, a total of 46 national teams participated in Edmonton, with 1,475 athletes competing. This included several teams competing at the Commonwealth Games for the very first time, as the event continued to expand its global reach within the Commonwealth. The boycotts highlighted the complex political landscape that often intersected with the 'Friendly Games' and marked this edition with a degree of controversy.

Venues and infrastructure

A substantial new infrastructure was built for the Games, centred on the newly constructed Commonwealth Stadium. The stadium was built specifically for the event at a cost of 42 million dollars and served as the main venue for athletics. The athletes' village was located at the University of Alberta, utilizing the Lister Hall Residential Complex which accommodated 2,000 athletes. A large dining hall that could seat 1,000 people operated around the clock, and a shuttle bus service connected the campus to the stadium five miles away. Other key venues included the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre for swimming and diving, Edmonton Gardens for boxing, and the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium for weightlifting.

Other notable venues included the Argyll Velodrome for track cycling events. The Edmonton Gardens was the venue for boxing competitions during the Games. Gymnastics events were held at the Northlands Coliseum. The Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium was used for weightlifting. The University of Alberta main varsity gymnasium hosted the wrestling competitions.

• Argyll Velodrome for track cycling
• Northlands Coliseum for gymnastics
• Coronation Park Greens for lawn bowls
• University of Alberta facilities for badminton and wrestling

Road cycling events were held on a course through the North Saskatchewan River Valley. Shooting competitions took place at the Strathcona Shooting Range. The Edmonton Coliseum hosted the demonstration event of lacrosse. Lawn bowls events were held at Coronation Park Greens. Badminton was played at the University of Alberta Arena. Aquatics events, including diving and swimming, were held at the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre.

Sports programme and demonstration event

The sporting programme in Edmonton featured ten core sports, maintaining the traditional focus of the Commonwealth Games. The disciplines were aquatics, which encompassed both diving and swimming, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, lawn bowls, shooting, weightlifting, and wrestling. In addition to these official sports, lacrosse was included as a demonstration event, held at the Edmonton Coliseum. The competition schedule was packed into the ten-day period from 3 to 12 August, requiring precise coordination across the multiple venues. The range of sports tested athletes in diverse disciplines, from the precision of lawn bowls and shooting to the power events of weightlifting and wrestling. The aquatics events at the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre were a major draw, featuring both swimming races and diving competitions that required a high degree of skill and control.

Technological and ceremonial innovations

The Edmonton Games introduced several important innovations for the event. It was the first Commonwealth Games to employ a computerized system to manage ticket sales, representing a step forward in event organization and fan access. This technological adoption was a sign of the increasing scale and commercial aspects of major multi-sport events. Ceremonially, the event was opened by Queen Elizabeth II, which was her first time performing this duty at a Commonwealth Games since ascending to the throne in 1952. Most historically, the 1978 edition was the first to be held under the simplified name 'Commonwealth Games', formally dropping the word 'British' from the event's title. This name change reflected the evolving political and social character of the modern Commonwealth of Nations and has been used for every edition since, including the upcoming Glasgow 2026 Games.

Canadian performance and results

As the host nation, Canada fielded a strong team and delivered an outstanding performance on home soil. Canadian athletes excelled across multiple sports, leading the country to finish at the top of the overall medal table. This victory was a source of considerable national pride and demonstrated the depth of Canadian sporting talent following the Montreal Olympics. The success was achieved through strong performances in a wide range of sports, from athletics and swimming to the more traditional Commonwealth sports like lawn bowls and wrestling. The home crowd support across Edmonton venues provided a significant boost to the Canadian competitors throughout the competition. Topping the medal table validated the investment in facilities and team preparation, cementing the 1978 Games as a successful chapter in Canadian sporting history and a memorable achievement for the athletes involved.

Place in Commonwealth Games history

The 1978 Edmonton Games occupy a distinct place in the history of the Commonwealth Sport Movement. They successfully bridged the era of the 'British' Commonwealth Games and the modern, more inclusive event known today. The organizational lessons, from the new stadium to the computerized ticketing, influenced future hosts like Brisbane in 1982. The event also proved Canada's capability to host major multi-sport events in quick succession, following the 1976 Olympics. The friendly and competitive atmosphere in Edmonton upheld the event's reputation as the 'Friendly Games', even amidst the political controversies that led to the boycotts. The Games are remembered as a well-organized event that set a standard for subsequent editions and solidified the quadrennial event's identity within the global sporting calendar.

Connection to future Games

The legacy of the 1978 Games is part of the ongoing story of the Commonwealth Sport Movement. The naming convention established in Edmonton remains in use, with the most recent edition being the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. The 2026 Games were originally awarded to Victoria, Australia, before being relocated to Glasgow, demonstrating the continuing evolution in how host cities are selected. The model of using university facilities for an athletes' village, as done at the University of Alberta, has been replicated in various forms by many subsequent hosts. The event continues to be a unique, world-class multi-sport gathering held every four years, building on the foundations laid by editions like Edmonton 1978 and maintaining its role as a major fixture in international sport.

Questions about 1978 Commonwealth Games

Where and when were the 1978 Commonwealth Games held?

The 1978 Commonwealth Games were held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The event took place over ten days, from 3 to 12 August 1978. This was just two years after Canada hosted the Summer Olympics in Montreal. The main stadium for the Games was the newly built Commonwealth Stadium.

Why were the 1978 Games significant for the event's name?

The 1978 Edmonton Games were the first edition to officially use the title 'Commonwealth Games'. All previous events had been known as the 'British Commonwealth Games'. The removal of 'British' from the name was a symbolic step, reflecting the modern and more inclusive nature of the Commonwealth of Nations. This naming convention has been used for all subsequent Games, including the upcoming Glasgow 2026 edition.

Which countries boycotted the 1978 Commonwealth Games and why?

Nigeria and Uganda boycotted the 1978 Games. Nigeria's boycott was a protest against New Zealand's sporting contacts with apartheid-era South Africa. Uganda boycotted due to alleged Canadian hostility towards the government of Idi Amin. Despite these absences, 46 other national teams participated in the event, which featured 1,475 athletes.

What was new about the organization of the 1978 Games?

A major innovation was the use of a computerized system to handle ticket sales, a first for the Commonwealth Games. This was also the first Commonwealth Games to be named under the current title of Commonwealth Games, having dropped the word British. The event featured a purpose-built main stadium, Commonwealth Stadium, constructed specifically for the Games at a cost of $42 million. Queen Elizabeth II opened the Games, which was her first time doing so as monarch since 1952.

Where did the athletes stay during the Edmonton Games?

The athletes' village was located at the University of Alberta. Athletes were housed in the Lister Hall Residential Complex, which accommodated 2,000 athletes in twin rooms. The village featured a large dining hall that could seat 1,000 people and was open 24 hours a day. Shuttle buses transported athletes the five miles between the campus and the main stadium.

How did Canada perform as the host nation in 1978?

Canada performed exceptionally well as the host nation, finishing at the top of the overall medal table. Canadian athletes won the most medals across the ten sports contested. This victory on home soil was a major achievement and a point of national pride following the 1976 Montreal Olympics. The success demonstrated the strength of Canadian sport in the late 1970s and rewarded the significant local investment in the event.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.