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≡ GLASGOW 2026 ≡
A startling pledge of financial support for a possible Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games has come from the country which renounced that event in 2023: Australia.
The state of Victoria, Australia had contracted to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in April 2022, but ended its contract in July, paying a negotiated damages fee of A$380 million (about $254.96 million U.S. today).
The Commonwealth Games Federation has been casting about for a host for 2026 and Commonwealth Games Scotland has put forward Glasgow – the 2014 Commonwealth Games host – as a candidate, with a guarantee of £100 million (~$131.25 million U.S.) from the Commonwealth Games Federation, and a total budget of just £150 million.
Only 10-13 sports would be contested – vs. 20 at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham (ENG) – with venues clustered in just four sites.
However, the Scottish and Glasgow governments have been reluctant to give approval, recognizing that they will have responsibilities for security and related costs.
On Saturday, Commonwealth Games Australia President Ben Houston promised “a multi-million pound investment that will support making Glasgow 2026 a reality.”
Said Houston:
“[W]e have every confidence in the model proposed by Commonwealth Games Scotland.
“As one of the beneficiaries of the settlement with the Victorian Government, we today commit a multi-million pound investment into the Games to be further negotiated with Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Scottish Government.
“Now is not the time to walk away from a Games that has inspired for generations, and we look forward to working collaboratively toward an outcome that benefits Commonwealth nations, their athletes, coaches and fans.
“The Commonwealth Games are at the heart of Australia’s performance pathway, often providing the launch pad for continued and ongoing success by Australian athletes.
“They are irreplaceable in terms of providing global competition and, in the absence of an Australian host, it is in the interests of Australian sport that we make an overseas Games a reality.”
After Victoria’s exit, Commonwealth Games Australia tried, but could not find another city or region in the country to take on the event. Houston asked for a meeting with the Scottish government on the issue, which will reportedly take place this week.
Chris Jenkins (WAL), the head of the Commonwealth Games Federation, welcomed the unexpected gift:
“We commend Commonwealth Games Australia (CGAus) for making this generous multi-million-pound offer to further enhance and support the Glasgow 2026 ambitions.
“It demonstrates the tremendous support from around the Commonwealth and the overwhelming desire to have a Games take place in 2026.
“The Commonwealth Games Federation fully endorses the innovative, cost-effective sustainable concept Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) has developed for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and unreservedly believes that Scotland and the CGS team, with its significant experience in, and successful global reputation for organising major sports events, is more than able to deliver a world-class event in such a short period of time.”
Time is running out to make a 2026 Commonwealth Games happen, an event which was first held in 1930 as the British Empire Games. No bidder for a 2030 centennial Games has come forward either.
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