Bowler Sian Honnor and swimmer Luke Greenbank have been selected as Team England’s flag and baton bearers for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on Thursday 23 July.

The pair were chosen following a vote by their fellow Team England athletes, having been nominated by their sports in recognition of their achievements, leadership and the example they set to those around them.

Honnor will carry the St George’s Cross, while Greenbank will carry the baton as Team England makes its entrance at the Opening Ceremony.

For the first time, all 74 Commonwealth nations and territories have received their own baton to decorate in celebration of their culture, before they reunite at the Opening Ceremony. England’s baton was decorated by Cornish artist Bonnie Steward using plastics collected from beaches and urban spaces, transformed into vibrant mosaics celebrating England’s identity.

Greenbank will be competing at his third Commonwealth Games, having won silver in the men’s 4x100m medley relay at Gold Coast 2018 before upgrading to gold at Birmingham 2022.

The backstroke specialist is also an Olympic and multiple World Championship medallist. He became the first British man to win an Olympic medal in the 200m backstroke when he claimed bronze at Tokyo 2020, where he also won silver as part of Great Britain’s medley relay team.

Beyond his achievements in the pool, Greenbank was nominated in recognition of his professionalism, humility and team-first approach. Calm and composed in the highest-pressure environments, he is respected across the team as an athlete whose standards and quiet leadership elevate those around him.

For Honnor, Glasgow 2026 will mark a remarkable fifth Commonwealth Games appearance.

The Canterbury bowler has won a medal at each of the past four Games, collecting women’s triples gold at Glasgow 2014 and Birmingham 2022, alongside bronze medals at Gold Coast 2018 and Delhi 2010. She will compete in the women’s pairs alongside Amy Pharaoh in Glasgow.

Honnor has also become an influential ambassador for her sport away from the green.

Luke Greenbank said: “To be nominated as flagbearer is really exciting. It's not something swimmers usually get to experience because we're competing from day one, but because my events are a little later in the programme, I'll be able to attend. It'll be a great experience and I'm really proud to represent the team.

“I knew I had been nominated by Swim England, but I wasn't really expecting anything.

“Then at a team meeting I was told by the Team England staff. It was a really nice moment to be selected by the athletes and represent them at the opening ceremony.”

Sian Honnor said: “This is my fifth Commonwealth Games, I’ve been so lucky to travel all around the world to do the sport that I love and compete in lots of different places.

“But I think there is no greater feeling than having that England shirt on your back. It is such a proud moment every time I go out there representing my country.

“I didn’t know I was nominated until I went on to select who I wanted to do it. I think for bowls to be included in the shortlist is amazing and a great platform for the sport.

To be chosen, there are no words. I am absolutely honoured to be leading England in that way.”

Team England Chef de Mission Jonny Riall said: “I am absolutely delighted that Sian and Luke will lead Team England into the Opening Ceremony as our flag and baton bearers.

“From the outset, we wanted to recognise athletes who not only represent their sport with distinction, but who also embody everything it means to represent Team England. They are respected by teammates, admired by competitors and, above all, wear the England shirt with immense pride.

“The fact they were chosen by a vote of their fellow athletes makes this recognition even more special. It speaks volumes about the people they are, not just the medals they have won.”