Although there are 53 Commonwealth countries, there are 71 Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) registered that can enter a team in the Commonwealth Games. This is because some Commonwealth countries have more than one CGA, in many cases due to their past histories as separate nations in their own rights. An example of this is the United Kingdom, which is now a single Commonwealth country, but which has seven CGAs, as Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Isle of Man, Jersey, and Guernsey, all compete in the Games as separate nations.
The original Commonwealth Games in 1930 had 11 countries competing. The number of countries entering has steadily grown, with a few blips due to boycotts as a result of political pressure. Nigeria boycotted the 1978 Games in protest of New Zealand's sporting contacts with apartheid-era South Africa, and 32 of 59 nations from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean boycotted the 1986 Commonwealth Games due to the Thatcher government's attitude towards South African sporting contacts. Boycotts were also threatened in 1974, 1982, and 1990 because of South Africa.
The 71 competing nations in the 2006 Commonwealth Games were:
Nine countries that have hosted the Commonwealth Games:
71 Countries will participate in the 19th commonwealth games.
71
71 nations participated at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
71 nations participated at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
There are currently 54 members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and 71 teams participate in the Games.
The Commonwealth Games is a sporting event that is open to athletes from countries that belong to the 'Commonwealth of Nations', an association of 53 countries. The United States does not belong to the Commonwealth of Nations.
46 countries participated in the Commonwealth Games in 1990
71 countries are competing in 2010 commonwealth games.
42 countries participated at the 1970 British and Commonwealth Games.
71 countries took part in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
90 countries take participation in this event.
71 countries took part in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.