Shock development as city ‘agrees to host Commonwealth Games’ after Aussie scandal threatened the event’s future

The 2026 Commonwealth Games have reportedly found a home with the Scottish city of Glasgow willing to stage the event a year after Australia’s sporting capital made the shock decision to back out of its hosting duties.

Melbourne was set to be the centre of the showpiece until then-Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews stunned sports fans by announcing the state was breaking its hosting agreement last July.

Andrews made the call due to concerns over the state’s finances and the huge expense of holding the Games.

The bombshell move led to fears for the event’s future when other possible hosts including Malasyia refused to step in and fill the gap.  

Making matters worse, Victoria had snagged the rights when none of the 70 countries in the Commonwealth Games Federation chased the opportunity. 

However, the event is now set for a return after a stunning development on Monday, according to a veteran Games reporter.

‘Some good news for the Commonwealth Games, I am hearing,’ respected sports journalist Duncan Mackay tweeted.

‘Multiple people have told me during the @olympics at @paris2024 that @thecgf [Commonwealth Games Federation] have reached an agreement with Scotland for Glasgow to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) dropped the bombshell in July last year as his government got cold feet due to the cost of staging the Games

‘An announcement is due shortly after the end of these Olympics – maybe even this week.’

When a commenter asked Mackay how the event will be funded, he replied, ‘A large proportion of the money is coming from the compensation Victoria paid after withdrawing.’

Shortly after Victoria’s withdrawal, it was reported that taxpayers in the state could be faced with a bill of more than $1billion for pulling out at such short notice.

The Gold Coast in Queensland hosted the Games in 2018 but ruled out coming to the rescue when the event was left without a home.

Commonwealth Games Australia chief executive Craig Phillips slammed the Andrews government and current premier Jacinta Allan in May this year.

Now it has been reported that the Scottish city of Glasgow (pictured) has picked up the baton and will play host after several other possible venues refused to step in

‘The decision of the Andrews-Allan government to withdraw from hosting the 2026 Games placed immense pressure on the Commonwealth sport movement brand,’ he said.

‘At times it even seemed that, for his own political expediency, then premier Andrews was attempting to trash the brand with the Australian public.

‘CGA is steadfast in its view that the Commonwealth Games and, in particular, our team remains much loved and respected by Australians.’

Commonwealth Games Australia president Ben Houston said the decision to cancel ‘called into question Australia’s integrity to host world class events’.