The TARDIS was seen during the opening night of the Commonwealth Games in the UK, with the space-time Ship dropping off the King and Queen to kick off the sports event.
Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy was also there, looking wonderful in his classic outfit… which we think means he’s the current incarnation of the Doctor. Well, the show’s effectively on hiatus, as it was in 1989, so there’s a certain pleasing parallel if McCoy is the incumbent Doctor (though we won’t have to wait the better part of a decade for Doctor Who to be back on our screens).
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games opened on Thursday 23rd July 2026 with a 50 metre LED screen showing the TARDIS exploring Scotland, including Balmoral Castle, the home of the Royal Family in the Highlands, piloted by cycling superstar Sir Chris Hoy and actor Greg McHugh. Then the TARDIS materialised on stage at the Hydro, one of the Games’ key venues, and deposited King Charles III and Queen Camilla in front of a cheering crowd.
It’s rather a lovely skit, and you can see it right here!
It says a lot that, despite being out to tender, Doctor Who is such an iconic part of British culture that it features so heavily in a major sporting event.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games run from 23rd July to 2nd August; though it’s been scaled back a lot this time around, it still boasts some 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories, which is pretty remarkable!
(Thanks to Peter Shaw.)
