Glasgow: International City

2025 marks a monumental milestone in Glasgow’s rich history: its 850th birthday. To commemorate this remarkable anniversary, we are excited to launch the Glasgow 850 Blog. With each monthly theme, we’ll bring you fresh insights, stories, and highlight 8.5 things to know about Scotland's largest city; showcasing the key facts and hidden gems that make Glasgow one of the most exciting cities to live, work, and invest in. 

Welcome to the August edition of our Glasgow 850 Blog!

Glasgow is an international city. Since the earliest days as small trading settlement next to the River Clyde, Glasgow has been a place where ideas, opinions and diversity blend. Over the centuries Glasgow has grown into a city with an international reputation from world-leading universities to the host of global sporting events, to business hub and capital of culture; we embrace language, culture, art and music. 

Glasgow is built on curiosity and respect where differences are celebrated, and creativity is embraced. Our vibrant, diverse and welcoming communities are built on a long history of international exchange. 

1. International Strategy

International activity is significant to Glasgow and includes the economy, both civic and community activities, education, networks, culture, and events. To create the conditions for Glasgow to thrive as a global city the International Strategy 2024 - 2030 in 2024 setting out priorities for the city to connect with the rest of the world. 

In order for Glasgow to continue to flourish on the international stage, the strategy looks to do three main things: 

• Acknowledge Glasgow’s role as a place that has been connecting with the rest of the world in various ways for a very long time.
• Build on those links so that Glaswegian businesses and communities can benefit from them.
• Chart a course for future progress and prosperity through Glasgow’s engagement with people and the global marketplace. 

2. Twin Cities

Glasgow is currently twinned with nine world cities who mirror our ambitions and priorities:

• Bethlehem, Palestine 
• Dalian, China 
• Havana, Cuba 
• Lahore, Pakistan 
• Marseilles, France 
• Mykolaiv, Ukraine 
• Nuremberg, Germany 
• Turin, Italy 

Twinning encourages collaboration, knowledge exchange and best practice. It also strengthens economic ties and encourages friendly relations at a civic and local level. 

Glasgow, in cooperation with our twin cities, have participated in cultural, social, and youth exchanges. There has also been collaboration and shared learning in higher education, research, student life, and sport. Glasgow’s Twin Cities are fundamental to the city’s international experience leading to greater understanding and acceptance. 

3. International Students

Glasgow has 5 institutions of higher education and 3 further education colleges - all of which enjoy international reputations with students coming from more 157 countries. 

International students are a dynamic addition to the fabric of life in our city. Not only do they make significant contributions to the economy, but they also make significant cultural contributions to all Glaswegians including food, music, language and much more. 

Additionally, international students contribute to the city’s enviable skills pipeline. Glasgow retains a UK-leading 51% of its graduates. 

4. Immigration

Glasgow has a rich history of in-migration which has contributed to and shaped its culture. The city has a long association with Ireland while the height of the British Empire brought Pakistanis, Indians, Bangladeshis and Chinese to Glasgow. Post-World War II brought new citizens from Italy, Poland, and Lithuania. This influx is reflected in the city’s cuisine, communities and culture. 

This trend continues as Glasgow continues to welcome migrants with the “we’re all fae somewhere” attitude. According to recent census data 19% of Glasgow’s population was born outside of the UK. 

This is evidenced nowhere better than through food where a rich tapestry of Glasgow’s multicultural past – and present - is expressed. For the adventurous palette, you can taste the world via Glasgow 850’s Taste the Place. 

5. International Business Base

EY's Attractiveness Survey 2024 once again named Scotland as the UK's top location for Foreign Direct Investment (outside of London) – marking a decade in that position. And with 27 projects in 2024, Glasgow has reclaimed its place as Scotland's leading city for FDI. 

Glasgow attracts investment from a large and diverse international investor base: 

• JP Morgan Chase & Co selected Glasgow as the host city for its European Technology Centre. 

• Morgan Stanley’s Glasgow operation is its second largest operation in Europe with 2,200 employees supporting Finance and Technology, Data and Operations, and Funding. 

• Barclays chose Glasgow for its new Northern European Hub to house its technology, functions and operations teams with a purpose-built campus on the south bank of the River Clyde. 

Planet DDS, Bigtincan, Halon Entertainment and HALO Invest are all recent investors; choosing Glasgow for their international operations and creating jobs. 

6. Tourism & Conventions 

Glasgow is a city that continues to captivate visitors from around the world. In 2023 alone, 3.91 million overnight visitors came to experience its iconic architecture, lively arts scene and warm, welcoming atmosphere. 

Although Glasgow isn’t just a destination for leisure; it’s also a hub for international conferences and business events. In the same year, the city hosted over 350 conferences, welcoming more than 115,000 delegates and generating over £140 million in economic impact. Highlights included the European Conference on Educational Research (ECER) with 4,000 delegates, the British International Studies Association (BISA) Annual Conference, and the European Society for Human Genetics (ESHG), which drew almost 4,800 delegates from 90 countries, surpassing expectations by more than 20%. The Scottish Event Campus (SEC) also reported record-breaking attendance numbers. 

With its combination of culture, world-class venues and international connectivity, Glasgow continues to shine as both a tourist hotspot and global conference destination. 

7. World Pipe Band Championships 

One of Glasgow’s signature cultural events, the World Pipe Band Championships, has been held in the city for decades and continues to celebrate Scotland’s musical heritage on a global stage. Every year, this world-class event brings together musicians of all ages and backgrounds – showcasing Glasgow’s ability to host major international events rooted in tradition. 

This year’s Championship’s saw 207 bands from across 15 countries, with 53 travelling from overseas, representing destinations as far ranging as Australia, Oman and Zimbabwe. Scotland entered the largest national contingent with 122 bands, followed by Northern Ireland with 25, and the USA with 14. 

This event continues to be a huge draw for visitors, with over 35,000 people attending this year alone – a vivid example of how Glasgow blends local culture with international participation. 

8. International Football

Hampden Park, Scotland’s national football stadium, is central to international football history – having hosted the first official international match between Scotland and England in 1872. It later set the European record for match attendance with 149,145 spectators at a Scotland v England match in 1937 — a game Scotland famously won 3–1 — a record that still stands today. 

Over the years, Hampden has hosted World Cup qualifiers, UEFA finals and countless high-profile fixtures, making it a true landmark for both Scottish, and international sport. Its continued use for global events reinforces Glasgow’s reputation as a major sporting city and a key stop on the international football map. 

Football runs deep in Glasgow’s identity, from historic clubs and iconic rivalries to grassroots participation and community pride. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the upcoming Glasgow 850 Football Podcast Series launching next month, celebrating the city’s incredible football legacy. 

8.5. Proud History of Sporting Events 

Beyond football, Glasgow has a long and proud history of hosting major sporting events. The city hosted the Commonwealth Games back in 2014, widely praised as one of the best ever delivered, with over 1 million tickets sold and athletes from 71 countries taking part. Glasgow has also staged the 2018 European Championships (in partnership with Berlin) which welcomed over 3,000 elite athletes representing 48 countries across the globe. 

This ability to deliver world-class events continues today — with Glasgow set to host next year’s 2026 Commonwealth Games from the 23^rd of July to 2^nd of August. These events not only strengthen the city's international profile but also generate significant economic impact and bring communities together through shared celebration and civic pride. 

We’ll be diving deeper into Glasgow's sporting legacy next month — from legendary football rivalries to major global events hosted in the city. Keep an eye out for our Sport Edition of the Glasgow 850 blog series!