Calls on two Australian states to save the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Victoria canceled the event
New South Wales and Western Australia have been called to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed his state will not host the global event due to the $6 billion cost.
Andrews confirmed the bombshell on Tuesday, saying his government could not justify the huge financial outlay.
The Games were to be held in the Victoria region in areas such as Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland and Shepparton.
Sydney quickly became a replacement option in the eyes of many: Harbor City last hosted a Commonwealth Games in 1938, having much of the infrastructure installed after hosting the 2000 Olympics.
“There is no question that we have the venues… and March would be a good time to organize it,” said former head of the Australian Olympic Committee, John Coates.
Calls have increased for NSW and Western Australia to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed his state will not host the global event.
Decorated Australian swimmer James Magnussen said it will be the athletes who will suffer after the bomb announcement.
‘I’d love to see it coming here… (in) 2026 would coincide with aerotropolis (opening in western Sydney). There are the venues, sports have the ability to organize it.
It would be great for Sydney’s reputation.
Sadly for sports fans in Sydney, NSW Premier Chris Minns has ruled out any possibility of his state hosting the event.
Perth Mayor Basil Zempilas urged the WA government to seize the opportunity, but Prime Minister Roger Cook dismissed the possibility.
The South Australian government has also confirmed that it will not intervene to rescue the Games, with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk refusing to even entertain the idea given that her state will host the 2032 Olympics.
Decorated Australian swimmer James Magnussen, who won gold in the 4x100m relay at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, called Andrews’ announcement “disappointing”.
‘The Commonwealth Games hold a special place in the hearts of Australian athletes. We don’t have a grand final every year like in football codes. We train all year to perform once a year,” he said on SEN Radio.
‘You have a world champions year, you have a Commonwealth games year and you have an olympics year. Take that out of the loop and we’ll race once every two years.
“As an athlete who competed at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, and to all the fans who attended…it was a huge event and very well received.
Prime Minister Chris Minns has ruled out NSW being tipped to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk isn’t even entertaining the idea given that her state will host the 2032 Olympics.
‘It still matters a lot in the sporting landscape here in Australia. That is essentially the biggest recruiting tool for a sport like swimming. People watch the NRL and AFL every weekend.
“Something like the Commonwealth Games on home soil ignites that dream for a young athlete. He has a big impact in those sports.
Retired Australian tennis star turned Victorian politician Sam Groth was scathing on Twitter after the development.
“Regional Victoria has been failed by the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the Andrews Labor government,” said the Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events. tweeted.
“This is disgraceful and is doing enormous damage to our international reputation as a world leader in events.
“The work cannot be believed in anymore as it continues to break its promises.”
