Commonwealth Games Mascots: Complete History from 1970 to Glasgow 2026

Throughout the history, the Commonwealth Games have been synonymous with sporting excellence and cultural diversity and have played a role in strengthening the bonds between countries. In addition to the victories and unforgettable performances, there is a traditional element that has accompanied the Games from the beginning the mascot. The mascots reflect the characteristics, values, and traditions of the host city and have become a great source of inspiration and pleasure for its participants and spectators.

What Are Commonwealth Games Mascots?

A Commonwealth Game mascot is the character associated with the games and embodying the culture, wildlife or heritage of the country where games take place.

It is used during the different ceremonies, marketing campaigns, educational initiatives and community service campaigns

While the mascots amuse people, they still spread messages of friendship, unity and inclusivity.

The Early Years: Unofficial Mascots (1970–1974)

At the Edinburgh 1970 Games, with Wee Mannie a haggis clad in a Saltire hat making history as the first mascot in the Commonwealth Games.

Even though it was never given any formal status, Wee Mannie is still strongly associated with the event.

The Scottish team, however, had a dissimilar mascot—Dunky Dick, a giant teddy bear that appeared whenever the national athletes were celebrating.

At the Christchurch 1974 Games, New Zealand introduced another unofficial mascot the Shiwi, which was a kiwi bird manufactured out of sheepskin, representing the local wildlife.

Keyano, The First Official Mascot (1978 Commonwealth Games, Edmonton)

Edmonton’s Commonwealth Games of 1978 marked an important point in history, with the launch of Keyano as the first ever Commonwealth Games mascot.

Keyano pattern of design comes from the Grizzly Bear that can be found in the Swan Hills, Alberta, Canada.

He got his name that refers to “togetherness and brotherhood.”

Thanks to Keyano’s triumph, the whole tradition of using mascots has become established.

Native Animals Take Centre Stage (1982–1990)

During the 1980s, countries took advantage of local wildlife as a way of expressing their culture.

Matilda – Brisbane 1982

Of all the mascots introduced, Matilda is without a doubt one of the best-known. The giant kangaroo stood at a height of more than 13 meters.

Matilda was more than just a mascot; she was a spectacular part of the opening ceremony. Inside her pouch were 20 children dressed as joeys, waiting to pop out for the performance.

Mac – Edinburgh 1986

Back in Scotland, the 1986 Games saw the introduction of Mac, a friendly Yorkshire terrier known for his lovely “MacValentine” greeting cards, which were sent to countries participating in the Games months before the actual event.

The Yorkshire terrier became so popular that another one appeared during the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Games.

Goldie – Auckland 1990

New Zealand introduced Goldie, a golden kiwi bird that was already a key sporting symbol. Goldie proudly wore New Zealand’s black sporting uniform and laughed for his country at the Games.

1994 Year: The Interactive Mascots

During the Commonwealth Games held in Victoria, Canada in 1994, Klee Wyck the Orca Whale was introduced.

Klee Wyck facilitated the interaction between the spectators and the organizers since he was the first participating mascot in the Commonwealth Games as an entertainment by walking around in the vicinity of the participants of the Commonwealth Games.

The Klee Wyck character was accompanied by an engaging fictional story owned by the Games organizers, which made it appealing to kids and families attending the Games.

The Identity of the Host City (1998-2002)

Wira – Kuala Lumpur 1998

Malaysia opted for an orangutan as Wira and conveyed important messages about intelligence, friendliness, and athletic prowess by this mascot to focus the attention of the audience on the unique biodiversity and hospitality of Malaysia.

Kit and Mad Ferret – Manchester 2002

The city of Manchester chose a mascot referring to its feline personality as Kit, the Devon Rex cat. The character of Kit was explained by its energetic, lively, and slightly mischievous characteristics—qualities reflecting the nature of the city.

Kit was also supported by Mad Ferret, who was inspired by the music of Manchester and provided participants and spectators with entertainment during the event.

Mascots with Environmental Messages (2006-2010)

Starting from the year of 2000, it became possible to notice a significant change in the use of the Commonwealth Games mascots, as the mascots began sending very important messages concerning the preservation of nature.

Karak – Melbourne 2006

The event took place in Australia, where the mascot Karak was introduced. The name of Karak comes from a rare species of bird found only in Australia.

Shera – Delhi 2010

The Indian organizers chose Shera as their symbol of the event, which is a famous representative of the Royal Bengal Tigers.

Shera demonstrated bravery and determination of the participants while increasing the awareness of the need to protect the Tigers.

Modern Era: Bigger, Brighter and More Creative

In the contemporary period, Clyde, the large, purple thistle, replaces more traditional designs of the mascot in Glasgow 2014.

The young designer, 12 years old Beth Gilmour, creates Clyde who instantly wins over the hearts of fans as it is still being used in the games.

Gold Coast 2018 had as its mascot Borobi, the koala who is surfed based on the language of the Indigenous Yugambeh people.

The paws of Borobi symbolized Indigenous artworks showing all Commonwealth nations and regions.

In the Birmingham Games, the rainbow-colored bull Perry created a pattern representing unity and diversity among Commonwealth nations.

Introducing Finnie: The Mascot of Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow

The Commonwealth Games family has welcomed Finnie, who will serve as the mascot of the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2026.

Finnie is named after the world-famous Finnieston Crane, one of the most recognizable structures in Glasgow. Finnie is a mystical unicorn inspired by Scotland’s national animal.

Unlike many mascots before it that were based purely on wildlife, Finnie marries Scottish folklore, heritage, well-known landmarks with contemporary creativity. The mascot captures the essence of Glasgow while welcoming participants and tourists from all the Commonwealth countries.

As the preparations for Glasgow 2026 are in full swing, Finnie is expected to meet the international audience in community initiatives, education campaigns, and fan engagement events.

Complete List of Commonwealth Games Mascots

Commonwealth Games	Host City	Mascot
1970	Edinburgh	Wee Mannie (Unofficial)
1974	Christchurch	Shiwi (Unofficial)
1978	Edmonton	Keyano
1982	Brisbane	Matilda
1986	Edinburgh	Mac
1990	Auckland	Goldie
1994	Victoria	Klee Wyck
1998	Kuala Lumpur	Wira
2002	Manchester	Kit (with Mad Ferret)
2006	Melbourne	Karak
2010	Delhi	Shera
2014	Glasgow	Clyde
2018	Gold Coast	Borobi
2022	Birmingham	Perry
2026	Glasgow	Finnie