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≡ GLASGOW 2026 ≡
The BBC reported Monday that a Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is “more likely” now, according to Scottish Member of Parliament Neil Gray, who serves as the Health and Social Care Secretary.
Gray told BBC Radio’s “Good Morning Scotland:”
“Reputationally my worry and the government’s worry has always been that there is going to be a comparison with the incredibly successful 2014 Games, which by any stretch of the imagination both in terms of the performances, the spectacle that it was and the legacy, were going to be hard to match.
“But I’m hopeful that if we are able to recognise that if we are to go ahead, this is a different games, this is a smaller event.
“Fewer sports across fewer sites but with good collaboration we could see something coming forward that is still positive for Glasgow and for Scotland.”
Gray emphasized the government’s review is “making sure there is no financial risks to the government is critically important.”
The scaled-down proposal from Commonwealth Games Scotland is to stage the Games at just four venues, with 10 to perhaps 13 sports, instead of the 20 held at the last Commonwealth Games in 2022 in Birmingham (ENG).
Commonwealth Games Scotland’s plan is to use £100 million provided by the Commonwealth Games Federation and stage the Games for a total of £150 million. (£1 = $1.32 U.S.)
The BBC reported that the British government is willing to provide £2.3 million to help with security costs, provided the Scottish government will match that amount.
Additionally, an amazing offer from Commonwealth Games Australia came Saturday, with Chair Ben Houston explaining:
“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.”
Added to sponsorships and ticket sales, Commonwealth Games Scotland believes it can conduct the event without public funding for the Games itself. The Commonwealth Games began in 1930 as the British Empire Games, but lost its 2026 host when the Australian state of Victoria renounced its hosting contract in 2023 and paid A$380 million in negotiated damages.
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