Dragon flies over Glasgow skies ahead of 2026 Commonwealth Games

Scotland witnessed a Hydro shock today as a hyper-realistic dragon soared high above the Clyde and past the iconic arena ahead of the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.  

The eight-metre flying model, recently seen soaring over the Tower of London, is an exact replica of fan favourite dragon Syrax from the HBO Original series House of the Dragon, currently thrilling audiences with its third hugely popular season on HBO Max in the UK. 

She stunned onlookers as she flew over the SEC Armadillo and the OVO Hydro from sunrise, checking Glasgow is ready for the Games, where every event will be streamed exclusively live on HBO Max, with coverage delivered by TNT Sports.

The Games begin on July 23rd and will be available on all HBO Max plans and TNT Sports. 

The spectacular flight brings together the worlds of fantasy drama and sport, celebrating the headline stars of HBO Max, the streaming home of TNT Sports since the service launched in the UK earlier this year.  

Much like the athletes themselves, Syrax has been a testimony to teamwork, dedication and preparation, with a team of 14 specialists working for 3,000 hours over three months to achieve what is a world-first in aeronautical pioneering.  

The largest flying dragon model ever created, it is a perfect recreation of Syrax, the fan favourite dragon of Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) in the hit HBO Original series, incorporating 3D scans from the series production to ensure its incredible realism.  

Twenty-three dexterous moving parts create realistic movement across the eight-metre wingspan as well as both the head and tail, and flight is achieved with intricate impellers built into her legs.

Weighing just 13kg, the flying model dragon detail and texture was constructed from vacuum-formed Depron foam around a carbon fibre and aluminium skeleton, finished by hand with airbrushed paintwork to achieve a highly detailed, realistic surface appearance.  

Fans across the UK and Ireland will enjoy a truly immersive, fan-first viewing experience on HBO Max, the streaming home of TNT Sports, and the exclusive destination to stream every event live.  

Complemented by a first-of-its-kind innovative channel for the Commonwealth Games and an unprecedented line-up of experts, boasting 165 gold medals across major competitions, TNT Sports’ maiden Games will provide a best-in-class viewing experience that celebrates the athletes, elevates the stories and brings the Games to life across every screen. 

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The Commonwealth Games is entering a new era with TNT Sports and HBO Max set to deliver a never-before-seen viewing experience, with every event from Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games exclusively live across all HBO Max plans in the UK and Ireland.