Australia is on a tight three-month deadline to secure a host city for the 2026 Commonwealth Games as the search expands with the emergence of three additional potential hosts.
On Wednesday, leaders of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) emphasized the importance of an Australian city hosting the 2026 event, while calling for government backing.
Chris Jenkins ascended to the presidency at the CGF’s general assembly in Singapore with a vision of “transforming” the Games.
After cost overruns led the Victorian government to withdraw its bid in July, the 2026 Games currently do not have a confirmed host. Despite Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate proposing to host with an estimated cost of A$700m, the Queensland government has not expressed support.
CGF Chief Executive Katie Sadleir, alongside newly minted President Chris Jenkins, announced at the Singapore assembly that although three unnamed regions are in preliminary discussions for possibly hosting the Games in 2026 or 2027, the focus is on finding a suitable Australian city.
Sadleir reported active collaboration with Commonwealth Games Australia to maintain the event’s Australian legacy. She noted that a decision was anticipated by February, with the possibility of postponing the Games to 2027 under consideration.
Commonwealth Games Australia CEO Craig Phillips informed nations at the Singapore assembly while awaiting a formal proposal from the Gold Coast, the successful hosts of the 2018 Games.
Phillips pointed out that securing the Games would necessitate considerable state government support, and although the Gold Coast’s proposal was under review, no other Australian state had yet shown interest.
There is, support among Commonwealth nations for Australia to find a host city, with many expressing encouragement for the endeavor during the assembly.
The CGF and Commonwealth Games Australia continue their efforts to evaluate possibilities and prepare for discussions with various states, leveraging the recent assembly as a platform to advance these conversations.