The Victorian Government has announced it will no longer host the 2026 Commonwealth Games because of funding issues and instead use the money set aside for a new “regional fund”.
Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the decision today, saying the cost of hosting has blown out by billions.
The Victorian Government made their bid to host the games last year as a “predominantly regional” event.
“Last year when the Commonwealth Games Authorities approached us, needed someone to step in to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, as a state we were happy to help out,” Andrews said.
“But, of course, not at any price and only if there was lasting benefit.
Is it the right decision for Victoria to axe the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
“What’s become clear is that the cost of hosting these Games in 2026 is not the $2.6 billion which was budgeted. It is, in fact, at least $6b and could be as high as $7b.
“Six to seven billion is well and truly too much for a 12-day sporting event.
“I will not take money out of hospitals and schools in order to fund an event that is three times the cost as estimated and budgeted for last year.”
Andrews added he has no “confidence” that even $7 billion would appropriately fund the Games.
“I think it could be more than that,” he said.
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The premier said discussions with authorities have been amicable, and are still ongoing.
“We have had discussions last night and those discussions are not over, they have been amicable, they have been particularly productive and they will continue,” he said.
“It is fair to say, a multi-city Commonwealth games that had never been delivered before and they were estimates that were made and those estimates are clearly well and truly under the actual cost.”
Andrews said the $2 billion set aside for the Commonwealth Games will go instead towards a regional package.
“There are a number of features to that. First and foremost, each and every one of the permanent sporting facilities that were to be legacy benefits from the Games will be built,” he said.
“There is a very substantial regional tourism fund. There’ll be a substantial package of support for community- based sport and perhaps most importantly there will be a $1 billion boost for social and affordable housing right across regional Victoria.”
Andrews last year said the Victorian Government was offering a real “point of difference” for the event, which would be a “predominantly regional Victoria event”.
“Our vision for these games will be like no other and they be will great for regional Victoria,” he said.”We want to have as much of this in regional Victoria as we possibly can.”
The Commonwealth Games were going to be held from 17 to 29 March 2026, with Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland and Shepparton all playing a role in hosting.
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