Victoria is expected to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Premier Daniel Andrews declaring it will be ‘a games like no other’.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games would largely be hosted by regional Victoria in what would be a huge boost for the economy, for jobs and for the people of Victoria.
“It’s not a re-run of any other games, it’s something unique, something that’s never been done before – that’s what we’re pushing,” Premier Andrews said.
“We would hope to have the majority of events in our regional cities – to display the best of Victoria, create jobs and housing and infrastructure that will deliver for the long term.”
The Commonwealth Games Federation have been in discussions with numerous countries for hosting rights and a two-month exclusivity negotiation agreement was recently signed by the Federation and the Victorian government.
For those who may not be too keen on the Commonwealth Games, an arts and culture festival will run in regional Victoria during the time of the Games.
Melbourne last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2006 and with Brisbane set to host the 2032 Summer Olympics, there has never been a more exciting time for sports fans who have been starved of live sport in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For Australian athletes, the chance to compete at an Olympic Games or Commonwealth Games at home in their own backyard brings a sense of pride and would make them feel proud to represent their country.
For young, up-and-coming Australian athletes, knowing that such a huge event like an Olympic Games or a Commonwealth Games will be held in their own country brings a sense of excitement and drives them to push themselves harder in training.
Olympic gold medalist Grant Hackett said he felt inspired when he heard the announcement that Sydney would host the 2000 Summer Olympics.
“I know the feeling, just going back to the announcement when I was just 13 years of age, hearing that Sydney was going to host it, and it’s one of those things that is just so inspiring,” Hackett told A Current Affair.
Although Premier Andrews is confident regional Victoria won’t have any trouble hosting the Games, recent Commonwealth Games have been caught up in financial controversy.
The 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games cost a reported $15 billion and were tarnished by a corruption scandal, while the 2022 hosting rights were stripped from Durban in South Africa by the Commonwealth Games Federation due to financial constraints.
Australia has hosted the Commonwealth Games on five occasions – Sydney in 1938, Perth in 1962, Brisbane in 1982, Melbourne in 2006 and the Gold Coast in 2018. The chance for Australia to host another Games would yet again prove to the world that we are one of the best sporting nations and we know how to host a successful Commonwealth Games.
