In the heart of Glasgow, on a grey midweek evening, dozens of dancers move with purpose inside a bustling sports hall. Some whirl colorful fabrics high above their heads, while others perfect sharp arm movements in a quiet corner.
Nearby, racks of vibrant costumes stand ready. With the Commonwealth Games just weeks away, these rehearsals hint at something far grander.
On 23 July, this energy will explode onto the stage at the OVO Hydro in front of thousands of spectators and millions watching worldwide.
The creative team, drawing from Glasgow’s own bold traditions—like the memorable dancing teacakes from the 2014 Games—has found fresh inspiration in an unexpected place: Bad Bunny’s dynamic Super Bowl halftime performance.
Roxana Cole, the director steering Glasgow 2026’s opening ceremony, watched that show intently. As a longtime Glasgow resident with nine years in the city and a rich background that includes work with Scottish Opera, she immediately saw its potential.
“Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl became a massive inspiration for us,” Cole shares. The Puerto Rican artist’s performance celebrated his roots with raw community pride and infectious energy—qualities that resonated deeply with her vision for Glasgow’s moment on the global stage. Though it sparked some political controversy with then-President Donald Trump, the show’s authentic spirit struck the right chord.
Cole explains how the performance captured exactly what she wanted: “It held this feeling of an authentic community. We had already been thinking about those elements, and then we watched Bad Bunny and thought—bingo! There’s something truly inspiring about that kind of performance.”
The director didn’t stop there. She embarked on an intensive study of major ceremonies, big arena tours, and large-scale productions. Her goal? To craft drama that thrills both live audiences at the Hydro and viewers at home. “We need images that translate powerfully whether you’re in the arena or watching on TV,” she notes.
A cast of 600 performers will bring this vision to life. As rehearsals continue, the team blends local Scottish flavor with international dynamism. The result promises to be colorful, emotional, and deeply rooted in community much like Bad Bunny’s celebration of Puerto Rican identity.
This approach highlights a growing trend in major sporting events: borrowing creative fire from music superstars to elevate cultural storytelling. For Glasgow 2026, Bad Bunny’s influence adds a modern, vibrant edge to Scotland’s hosting duties, especially after the city stepped in at short notice to save the Games.
As the countdown continues, excitement builds. The opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro will not only welcome athletes from across the Commonwealth but also showcase how global pop culture can energize local pride.
Thanks to visionaries like Roxana Cole and sparks from artists like Bad Bunny, Glasgow is set to deliver a memorable spectacle that resonates far beyond the arena.
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