It differs from the Olympic Games where although it officially competes with England, Scotland and Wales as part of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, many athletes have represented the Ireland team.

Northern Ireland's participation in the Commonwealth Games is managed by the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council.

In November 2024, the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council (NICGC) discussed the possibility of using its own flag at the Commonwealth Games if a new "Civic Flag" proposed by the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Traditions is not in place before the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The team logo, and of the Commonwealth Games Council for Northern Ireland, features a stylised version of the Red Hand of Ulster, a traditional emblem of the province of Ulster of which Northern Ireland is a part.

It should also be noted that the palm and thumb form the letters NI = Northern Ireland The team goes by the abbreviation NIR.