1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games

VIII British Empire and Commonwealth Games
Host cityKingston, Jamaica
Nations34
Athletes1,316 (inc. officials)
Events110 events in 10 sports
Opening4 August 1966
Closing13 August 1966
Opened byPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Main venueIndependence Park

The 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Kingston, Jamaica, from 4 to 13 August 1966. This was the first time that the Games had been held outside the so-called White Dominions. The opening ceremony was the first Games to be opened in the evening. The event was followed by the 1966 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games for wheelchair athletes. Jamaica remains the only host nation of a Commonwealth Games that did not win at least one gold medal in its own games.

Two sports; lawn bowls and rowing were dropped from the Games due to lack of facilities and were replaced by the debut sports of badminton and shooting. A record 38 countries competed at the Games.