Manx artists invited to help design 2026 Commonwealth Games baton

Hopes Island's culture and heritage can be celebrated during King's Baton Relay

Isle of Man artists, designers and craftspeople are being invited to play a role in the King's Baton Relay ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Team Isle of Man is inviting submissions to design and decorate the Isle of Man baton which will feature in both the relay and the games itself.

The creative theme desired will be 'Manx culture and heritage' and the preferred design will be selected by a local panel of judges in March 2026.

Each Commonwealth nation or territory - including the Isle of Man - is receiving its own baton for the very first time and all 74 batons will be reunited at the opening ceremony of the games in Glasgow next summer.

President of the Commonwealth Games Association of the Isle of Man, Basil Bielich, says: "We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity to local creatives to design the Isle of Man’s baton.

"The baton itself is simple and sustainable with no complex electronics or chambers. It stands at around 470mm high with each face around 70mm wide. 

"With that in mind the design potential is broad, so we are hoping for some inspirational design ideas to be submitted."

Anyone wanting further details on baton specifications, timescales and how to submit a design are asked to contact Victoria Prentice at kingsbatonrelay@gmail.com

The relay is a games tradition aimed at celebrating and connecting communities across the Commonwealth and acts also as a countdown towards the games.

It visits all 74 Commonwealth nations and territories across the world and each baton for the individual nations will carry part of a message from His Majesty King Charles III to the commonwealth and games athletes.

The relay itself officially launched back in March this year at Buckingham Palace.