The Commonwealth Games take place every four years, with the 2014 event being held in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Games were first held in Hamilton, Canada in 1930, when 11 countries sent a total of 400 athletes to take part.
In Glasgow 2014 there will be more than 4,500 athletes from 71 nations competing in 17 sports over 11 days.
Scotland has previously hosted the event twice, in 1970 and 1986, both in Edinburgh. This will be the first time Glasgow is the host city.
Sporting superstars such as Usain Bolt, Mo Farah and Tom Daley are all competing in what is being billed as the biggest and best Commonwealth Games yet.
What is the Commonwealth?
The Commonwealth is a collection of countries that are linked in some way to Great Britain, all apart from one – Mozambique.
Many years ago Britain used to control lots of countries as part of something called the British Empire.
Over the years the Empire has disappeared as countries have taken charge of them, and has reformed and changed to become the Commonwealth.
All 53 members have signed up to a set of values including democracy, gender equality and international peace and security.
During the opening ceremony the Games will be officially opened by the Queen, who is the head of the Commonwealth.
The 71 teams competing at Glasgow 2014
Africa
Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia
Americas
Belize, Bermuda, Canada, Falkland Islands, Guyana, St. Helena
Asia
Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka
Caribbean
Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands
Europe
Cyprus, England, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Malta, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales
Oceania
Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.