Commonwealth Games too expensive, says Australia, as it pulls out of hosting tournament in 2026
- Victoria state chief says predicted A$7 billion cost of staging the games ‘well and truly too much’
- Athletics bosses blast ‘hugely disappointing move’ and say they were given just 8 hours notice of decision
The Australian state of Victoria pulled out of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Tuesday citing major cost blowouts, leaving organisers fuming as they scrambled to keep the multi-sport event afloat.
State Premier Daniel Andrews said the initial estimated A$2 billion (US$1.36 billion) needed to hold the Games would more likely be around A$7 billion, which he called “well and truly too much”.
“I’ve made a lot of difficult calls, a lot of very difficult decisions in this job. This is not one of them. Frankly, $7 billion for a sporting event, we are not doing that,” he said at a press conference in Melbourne.
“I will not take money out of hospitals and schools to host an event that is three times the cost estimated and budgeted for last year.
“The Games will not proceed in Victoria in 2026. We have informed Commonwealth Games authorities of our decision to seek to terminate the contract.”
The event – featuring 20 sports and 26 disciplines – was expected to be held across five regional hubs in the state, including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Gippsland and Shepparton, with each having its own athletes’ village.
