Residents and visitors in Glasgow were left doing double takes after what appeared to be a giant dragon was seen flying across the city’s skyline ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Videos and photographs of the creature quickly spread across social media, with many people initially questioning whether the footage had been created using artificial intelligence. Others joked that mythical creatures had finally become real, while some compared the flying beast to dragons featured in the popular fantasy series House of the Dragon.
The spectacle turned out to be neither AI nor CGI. Instead, it was a highly detailed flying animatronic model created as part of promotional activities tied to both the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and HBO’s House of the Dragon.
The dragon, named Syrax, was seen gliding over landmarks including the River Clyde, the SEC Armadillo and the OVO Hydro, where the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony was held. It was designed to resemble the dragon ridden by Rhaenyra Targaryen in the television series.
Social Media Divided Over Flying Dragon
The unusual sight sparked thousands of reactions online, with many users debating whether the dragon was genuine or digitally edited.
Some commenters insisted the footage must have been AI-generated, while others guessed it was a drone or an oversized kite. Several viewers recognised the creature as Syrax from House of the Dragon, while others humorously compared it to Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon.
One user jokingly claimed the dragon had “drunk Red Bull”, while another quipped that the mythical beast looked like a politician flying overhead. Others pointed out that dragons traditionally have four legs, arguing the flying creature was technically a “wyvern”.
Amid the flood of jokes, several users reminded others to read the original description, which clearly stated that the dragon was an animatronic model created for promotional purposes.
A High-Tech Dragon Built for Real Flight
Despite appearing almost lifelike in the sky, the dragon is an engineering project rather than a special-effects trick.
The flying model has an impressive eight-metre wingspan and weighs around 13kg. According to its creators, it features 23 moving parts, including articulated wings, tail, head and control surfaces that help produce realistic flight movements. The dragon was built using 3D scans taken from the television production and required a specialist team working thousands of hours over several months.
The display also serves as a promotional campaign for the third season of House of the Dragon, while helping generate excitement for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. The flying dragon had previously appeared over London before making its way to Scotland.
Commonwealth Games Begin in Glasgow
The dragon’s appearance came just before the official opening of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, which welcomed more than 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories. The Games officially opened with a ceremony at the OVO Hydro, featuring a uniquely Scottish celebration of sport, culture and entertainment.
While some social media users remained convinced the dragon was AI-generated, organisers confirmed that the spectacle was a real, remotely piloted animatronic aircraft, giving spectators an unforgettable start to one of the year’s biggest sporting events.