Some of Australia’s finest broadcasters have graced the mic at the Commonwealth Games, and Alister Nicholson says it’s a tradition he will endeavour to continue as he leads Seven’s coverage of the pool at the 2026 Glasgow Games.

Nicholson, who has become one of the voices of the AFL commentary box and the Test summer across the screens of Seven, is at the head of a star-studded commentary team that will bring all of the action from Tollcross International Swimming Centre to life in living rooms nationwide.

Alongside experts and Olympic gold medallists Giaan Rooney, Annabelle Williams and Ariarne Titmus, Seven will have every swimming medal covered as Australia looks to extend their dominance over the Commonwealth.

It’s 50 days until the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and you can catch every unmissable moment from Friday, 24 July live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport!

For Nicholson, the role is a dream come true, and the veteran broadcaster said he couldn’t wait for the action to begin.

“It genuinely feels like an honour to be given the opportunity,” he told The West Australian.

“I feel blessed to work at the Seven Network, they’ve been brilliant to me over a number of years now in giving me so many wonderful opportunities to cover major sporting events, whether it’s Australian Rules Football, which I love, or Test Cricket and even some winter Olympics and Olympics as well as previous Comm Games.”

Nicholson added the significance of the role wasn’t lost on him, not only because it’s the area Australia are likely to claim the most medals but because of the rich history of iconic moments and iconic callers that have come before him.

“For me, my only hope is to do justice to the performances of the athletes who are competing,” he said.

“I’m very mindful of those who have done it before, none better than the great Dennis Cometti, to call Australian champions in swimming.

“I’m really conscious that some of the finest broadcasters in the country have covered the swimming over the years, and Dennis was absolutely a giant.

“And it’s inspiring to see how he could take that great skill he had for football broadcasting and get out of his comfort zone and do a sport like swimming and do it to such a high standard and leave lasting memories. I’m really aware of the baton that gets handed on when it comes to swimming in Australia.”

Sports broadcasting legend Bruce McAvaney will also be a part of Seven’s Commonwealth Games coverage, predominantly at the track, and Nicholson said he was looking forward to working with him and picking his brain as he has done in the past.

“It will also be awesome to be working as part of a Games team over in Glasgow with Bruce McAvaney,” he said.

“When you think of major Games coverage, whether it be winter, summer Olympics or Commonwealth Games across my entire lifetime, Bruce has been central to all of it. So to be a part of a team with him will be a great thrill.”

As for his swim team partners, Nicholson said he couldn’t think of a more qualified trio to cover Australia’s elite swimmers with.

“I’ve watched from afar, Giaan, who I rate so highly as a broadcaster, and I think she’s such a professional broadcaster and presenter and has been for many, many years,” he said.

“So I’m really looking forward to working with her. Then Ariarne Titmus’ insights will be amazing, having literally just come out of the pool, and few have done it better for Australia at the Olympic or world level than Ariarne.

“To have her insights on the pool deck will be amazing. She’s a fellow Tasmanian, so I feel like we have that connection there as well, and I feel like she’s just an absolute star, so I think we’ll be seeing her on our screens for many, many years to come.

“I think physically being there is going to help tap into the energy of the event. I feel really lucky to work with a network that values having people at the venue.”