- Victoria puts the event’s future at risk with a shocking move
- Withdrew from hosting the 2026 Games in July 2023
The 2026 Commonwealth Games have reportedly found a home in the Scottish city of Glasgow, which is set to host the event a year after Australia’s sporting capital made the shock decision to pull out of its hosting duties.
Melbourne was set to be the hub for the event until then-Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews shocked sports fans by announcing the state would be breaking its hosting agreement last July.
Andrews made the call because of concerns about the state’s finances and the huge expense that holding the Games would entail.
The surprise decision raised fears for the future of the event as other potential hosts, including Malaysia, refused to step in and fill the void.
To make matters worse, Victoria had secured the rights when none of the 70 Commonwealth Games Federation countries took up the opportunity.
However, the event is set to return after a surprise development on Monday, according to a veteran Games reporter.
“I have some good news for the Commonwealth Games,” tweeted respected sports journalist Duncan Mackay.
‘I have been told by several people during the @Paris2024 Olympics that @thecgf (Commonwealth Games Federation) has reached an agreement with Scotland for Glasgow to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The future of the Commonwealth Games (2022 gold medallist Jessica Stenson pictured) was in doubt after Victoria’s shock decision to pull out of hosting the 2026 event.
Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) dropped the bombshell in July last year when his government chickened out over the cost of hosting the Games.
‘An announcement is expected shortly after the conclusion of these Olympic Games, perhaps even this week.’
When asked by a commentator how the event would be funded, Mackay replied: “A lot of the money is coming from the compensation Victoria paid after she pulled out.”
Shortly after Victoria’s withdrawal, it was reported that state taxpayers could face a bill of more than $1 billion for pulling out at such short notice.
Queensland’s Gold Coast hosted the Games in 2018 but ruled out coming to the rescue when the event was left without a venue.
Australian Commonwealth Games chief executive Craig Phillips criticised the Andrews government and current Premier Jacinta Allan in May this year.
It has now been reported that the Scottish city of Glasgow (pictured) has picked up the baton and will host after several other potential venues declined to step in.
“The Andrews-Allan government’s decision to withdraw from hosting the 2026 Games has put enormous pressure on the brand of the Commonwealth sporting movement,” he said.
‘At times it even seemed that, for his own political expediency, the then Premier Andrews was trying to trash the brand in the eyes of the Australian public.
‘The CGA remains steadfast in its view that the Commonwealth Games and in particular our team remain much loved and respected by the Australian people.’
Commonwealth Games Australia president Ben Houston said the decision to cancel “called into question Australia’s integrity to host world-class events.”
