Where could the 2026 Commonwealth Games take place now that Victoria has retired?

The Commonwealth Games are in disarray after Victoria pulled the plug on her hosting duties on Tuesday.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews cited cost concerns after confirming his state would no longer be able to host the competition in 2026, leaving bosses on edge.

The very future of the Commonwealth Games has been called into question, with less than three years to go before they take place.

So, with the event now on the air, here’s what we know about where the Commonwealth Games could land in 2026, and it’s not a good read for Australian fans hoping to see the action in their home country.

Will another Australian state take over hosting duties?

NEW SOUTH WALES

Given the fact that Sydney hosted the Olympic Games in 2000, many commentators suggested that New South Wales might have the facilities to take on the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Sport NSW Chairman Chris Hall expressed his desire for Sydney to step up.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Hall said.

“We have the facilities and the places.”

However, Prime Minister Chris Minns was quick to pour cold water on the possibility of New South Wales hosting the Games, insisting that the state’s budgetary pressures were too great to take on the Games.

“We are not bidding for the Commonwealth Games and we are not accepting them,” he said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said his state is not offering to host

QUEENSLAND

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has also ruled out any intervention by her state, insisting that her government’s focus is on the 2032 Olympics.

“People have said to me: ‘Can we host the Commonwealth Games?’ the Gold Coast Bulletin reports that Palaszczuk said.

‘Well, no, we can’t because we’re focused on the Olympics and any extra money we have to put into things like social housing.’

The Gold Coast hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games, but the city’s acting mayor says it’s not possible for the city to host again.

Queensland says its focus is on hosting duties for the 2032 Olympics

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Perth Mayor Basil Zempilas has advocated for Western Australia to host the Games, but the state’s premier, Roger Cook, quickly quashed those calls.

“Our analysis was consistent with the Victorian Government’s analysis that this would cost a significant amount of money and provide very little return on that investment,” Cook said.

He added that the state needs a sustained investment in events rather than a two-week “sugar hit” of the Commonwealth Games.

Perth Mayor Basil Zempilas wants his state to host but Western Australia doesn’t support him

SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND TASMANIA

The South Australian government also echoed the views expressed by its fellow states, saying the Games would prove too costly.

Tasmania initially applied for hosting rights in 2022, but that too was dropped.

What happens abroad?

NEW ZEALAND

While Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger has advocated for the Commonwealth Games to be held throughout New Zealand, the nation has withdrawn from hosting duties.

NOBODY ELSE?

It remains to be seen if the cities that had initially shown an interest in hosting will step up now.

Kuala Lumpur, Cardiff, Calgary, Edmonton and Adelaide were all interested but withdrew because, like Victoria, they were concerned about cost.