BVI to host King’s Baton Relay in May

The Virgin Islands will host the Glasgow 2026 King’s Baton Relay (KBR) from May 16 to 21, 2025, as part of the lead-up to the 23rd Commonwealth Games.

The BVI is the 10th stop on the Baton’s journey through the 74 Commonwealth nations and territories.

For the first time, each country will receive and decorate a unique Baton crafted from sustainable ash wood. The BVI’s Baton will be carried by the territory’s delegation during the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

At a press briefing on April 16, Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Luce Hodge-Smith announced that local visual artist Desiree Smith will design the BVI’s Baton. “Ms Smith’s design captured the essence of the Virgin Islands in a way that was both bold and heartfelt,” Hodge-Smith stated.

Smith’s design features three panels—‘British Virgin Islands,’ ‘Colourful,’ and ‘Commonwealth Sport’—each highlighting aspects of the territory’s environment, culture, and sporting achievements. “My goal was to make the Baton a vibrant expression of who we are as a people—our love for our land, our culture, and the pride we carry into every sporting arena,” Smith explained.

The artist selection process was managed by Creative Waves, led by Director Sophie Stanton. “Desiree’s submission stood out for its bold use of colour, layered symbolism, and emotional resonance,” Stanton noted.

Smith is expected to travel to Glasgow for the Opening Ceremony on July 23, 2026, which will be hosted by the Premier at London House alongside the BVI’s Commonwealth Games team.

The KBR celebrations in the BVI will include a range of community events, such as school visits, a Baton relay through Road Town on May 20, and a coastal clean-up on May 17. Environmental organisation Green VI will lead the clean-up as part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign.

“We are not only collecting but we are sorting and categorising the litter to see what we can recycle and upcycle,” said Dylan Penn, Director of Operations at Green VI.

Ephraim Penn, President of Commonwealth Sport BVI, highlighted the updated focus of the Baton Relay. “This new model of the Baton Relay emphasises sustainability, inclusion, and national pride,” he stated.

Mark Chapman, Treasurer of Commonwealth Sport BVI and Chef de Mission for Glasgow 2026, confirmed that the Games will be held from July 23 to August 2, 2026. The BVI has registered 12 athletes, whose final selection will be confirmed ahead of the Games.