The games finally acquired its present name, the Commonwealth Games in 1978. It was held in Edmonton, in the province of Alberta in Canada, from 3rd to 12th August 1978, two years after the 1976 Summer Olympics were held in Montreal, Quebec.

Forty-six countries sent a total of 1,474 athletes and 504 officials to the Edmonton Games. As host nation, Canada also topped the medal table for the first time.

Ten sports were featured at the Edmonton Games – athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, lawn bowls, shooting, swimming and diving, weightlifting and wrestling.