The 2026 Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held in Victoria, Australia, are facing a significant threat as the state has withdrawn as the host. The decision came as a result of the soaring costs associated with organizing the sporting event. The Commonwealth Games Federation now has the task of finding a new host, with less than three years remaining until the quadrennial games.
Premier Daniel Andrews of Victoria state announced on Tuesday that the Australian government has decided against bidding to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, citing a substantial increase in the estimated cost of hosting the multisport competition. Initially budgeted at 2.6 billion Australian dollars ($1.8 billion), the costs have now escalated to nearly three times that amount, reaching 7 billion Australian dollars ($4.8 billion).
During a press conference, Andrews stated, What’s become clear is that the cost of hosting these Games in 2026 is not the $2.6 billion which was budgeted. It is, in fact, at least $6 billion, and could be as high as $7 billion. I will not take money out of hospitals and schools in order to fund an event that is three times the cost [which] was estimated and budgeted for last year. In terms of where we go from here, the Games will not proceed in Victoria in 2026.
The Commonwealth Games Federation has been left in a difficult position following Victoria’s withdrawal. In response, the Federation criticized the government for failing to seek solutions and for providing only an eight-hour notice. The CGF is now seeking advice on the potential options available to salvage the event in 2026.
According to the CGF, the decision to adopt a regional, multi-city host model and the Victoria government’s choice to modify venue designs and include additional sports were significant factors contributing to the expected cost increase.
In a statement, the CGF expressed its disappointment, saying, This is hugely disappointing for the Commonwealth Sport Movement, for athletes around the Commonwealth, and the Organizing Committee who are well advanced in their planning and preparation. We are disappointed that we were only given eight hours’ notice and that no consideration was given to discussing the situation to jointly find solutions prior to this decision being reached by the Government.
The regional centers of Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland, and Shepparton had originally been designated as hosts for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the event scheduled to take place from March 17 to March 29.
