Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), Official Soft Drinks Provider to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, welcomed the King's Baton Relay to its East Kilbride manufacturing site in early July as part of the Baton's 23-day journey across Scotland.
Colleagues and local community members gathered at the Milton Road site to celebrate the Baton’s arrival. During the visit, colleagues from across the facility passed the Baton to one another, giving teams across production, filling and distribution the chance to take part in the celebration.
The Baton carries the King's Message in a specially designed chamber and symbolises the unity of the Commonwealth. Collette Stevenson MSP for East Kilbride and Joe Fagan MSP for South Scotland attended the event, which marked one of over 50 events and festivals the Baton will visit during its tour of Scotland.
Image: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
As Official Soft Drinks Provider to Glasgow 2026, CCEP will supply Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Powerade and Smartwater across Games venues.
As the Official Soft Drinks Provider to Glasgow 2026, supporting the Commonwealth Games means a great deal to us and to the colleagues who work here,” said Seamus Kerrigan, Director of Supply Chain at CCEP's East Kilbride facility. “The East Kilbride site first opened in 1964 and has been the heart of our Scottish operations for over 60 years. Welcoming the King’s Baton to the site as the Games return home was a memorable moment for everyone here.”
Jon Doig OBE, Chief Executive of Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “The King's Baton Relay brings communities across Scotland together ahead of Glasgow 2026, and it's been brilliant to see local businesses like CCEP open their doors to welcome the Baton."
Collette Stevenson MSP added: "The King's Baton Relay represents the very best of the Commonwealth, bringing communities together through sport and shared celebration. It's fantastic to see the Baton visit East Kilbride and to see a major local employer like CCEP playing such an important role in supporting Glasgow 2026."
The King's Baton Relay is a longstanding Commonwealth Games tradition, celebrating and connecting communities during the build-up to the Games. Having begun on 1st July, the Baton will visit over 50 events across Scotland before the King's Message is read at the Opening Ceremony on 23rd July - the first time the Commonwealth Games have returned to Scotland since 2014.
Glasgow 2026 will take place from 23rd July to 2nd August, welcoming 3,000 athletes from across the Commonwealth to compete in ten sports at venues across Glasgow and Scotland.