- Melbourne backed out of its decision to host the event last year
- It has already paid out almost $400 million in compensation
- Australia is now willing to pay millions more to another nation
Australia is willing to shell out millions of dollars to allow Scotland to host the Commonwealth Games, which Victoria rejected.
Glasgow is the only option left on the table to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the Victorian Government pulled out as host last year due to the cost of the event exceeding estimates by around $5 billion.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate had stepped forward to save the Games, but cost increases forced the Queensland region to pull out as well, leaving the entire future of the Commonwealth Games in doubt.
“We did the best we could and that’s all people can hope for,” Tate said.
Now Commonwealth Games Australia is offering Scotland millions to save the 2026 Games and no other nation is willing to take the financial risk.
The Victorian government had already been hit with a $380 million bill for failing to host the Games, with the Commonwealth Games Federation required to use $200 million of that money to ensure they were held in Glasgow.
Scotland had asked the UK to contribute around $4.5 million to cover any additional security costs, but the UK refused and the Scottish Government will not provide any funds either.
This prompted Commonwealth Games Australia to step in and offer additional funding to ensure the event goes ahead.
Glasgow last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and is now the only remaining nation eligible to host the 2026 edition.
Australian Commonwealth Games chairman Ben Houston is willing to hand over millions to Scotland to ensure the Glasgow Games go ahead
CGA chairman Ben Houston has confirmed that a “multi-million pound” investment will be made in the Glasgow Games.
“Commonwealth Games Australia welcomes the enthusiasm of the Scottish and UK governments for the Games,” Houston said.
‘And we want to do everything we can to make Glasgow 2026 a reality.
‘We recognize that the model is different and that creates perceived challenges in financial and reputational terms.
‘But we have full confidence in the model proposed by the Scottish Commonwealth Games.
‘As one of the beneficiaries of the Victorian Government agreement, we are today committing to a multi-million pound investment in the Games which will be further negotiated with Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Scottish Government.
‘Now is not the time to walk away from a game that has inspired generations.
“And we look forward to working collaboratively to achieve an outcome that benefits Commonwealth nations, their athletes, coaches and fans.”
Glasgow’s bid to host the games comes after both Victoria and the Gold Coast withdrew.
The Commonwealth Games have been a popular springboard to the Olympics for Australians.
Houston stressed the importance of the games as Brisbane prepares to host the 2032 Olympics.
He said nearly half of Australian athletes make their debut representing the country at the Commonwealth Games.
Furthermore, more than half of those who win medals at these games achieve similar success in subsequent international competitions.
“The Commonwealth Games are at the heart of Australia’s sporting achievement and often provide the launch pad for continued and enduring success,” Houston said.
“They are irreplaceable in terms of delivering global competition and in the absence of an Australian host, it is in the interests of Australian sport that we make the Games overseas a reality.”
However, even if the Commonwealth Games are held in Glasgow, where the event was last held in 2014, the next edition would be reduced to between 10 and 13 sports, about a third fewer than the 2022 Birmingham Games.