Victoria is expected to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games with state Premier Daniel Andrews confirming his government is in exclusive negotiations with the organising body.
The Victorian government has entered a two-month negotiation period to host the Games, with Andrews saying it would primarily be an event hosted by regional Victoria.
“These will be games like no others and that will be great for regional Victoria, great for the state, for jobs, for investments, for confidence,” Andrews said on Wednesday.
Minister for Regional Development Marry-Anne Thomas added: “The flow-on benefits of this will be enormous when it comes to job creation, investment in our regions, the legacy benefits including housing will be very significant.”
The Victorian Government and the Commonwealth Games Federation will have two months to negotiate on the commercial aspects of the event.
Mr Andrews said while not a certainty, the government was confident they would secure the Games.
“This is not binding. If at the end of it we decide not to go forward, then we don’t go forward,” Andrews said.
“But we’re confident, we wouldn’t sign it if we didn’t think we could get an outcome.”
An alliance of 11 regional Victorian centres, including Shepparton, Bendigo, Geelong, Traralgon, Ballarat, Warrnambool, Nagambie, Wodonga and Yarrawonga had previously launched a campaign for Greater Victoria to host the 2030 games.
Andrews said further infrastructure funding would be required for the regional locations.
“There would need to be further investments made and that’s how I see them, not as a cost,” he said.
“That infrastructure is then there as a lasting legacy.”
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The commonwealth games no one wants to host it, its a dud event that brings no money in, britain puts billions into its Olympic athletes and so if it spends billions on the Commonwealth games it is at least level. Australia is now stuck holding the bill for the Commonwealth games but at the same time its relatively cheap on its Olympic athletes.
The real SC
Roar Rookie
I heard that the Ballarat's MARS Stadium will more likely use the track and field, while Geelong GMHBA Stadium will host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Basketball will be played in Geelong Arena, while Netball will be played in Ballarat.
Brian
Guest
They're already building a facility in Mickleham.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I assume there wouldn't be a single athletes village, but would athletes be in different towns based on nationality or proximity to their event venue? I wonder how the media will cope with the travel, particularly the camera crews.
Avatar
Roar Guru
This will be massive for the Victorian economy, especially as it continues its recovery from COVID-19. Melbourne Rectangular Stadium would be the most obvious venue for the rugby sevens, while Kardinia Park in Geelong and Eureka Stadium in Ballarat, among other venues, could host cricket. Though unlikely, would love to see tennis make a comeback - which could raise the prospect of a soon-to-be 30-year-old Ashleigh Barty win a Commonwealth Games gold medal on home soil (she'll be 29 before April of 2026).