Why Australia is set to pay almost $5million to NOT host the 2026 Commonwealth Games

Australia is set to fork out millions of dollars for Scotland to host the Commonwealth Games that Victoria rejected.

Glasgow is the only option left on the table to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the Victorian Government withdraw as host last year due to the cost of the event breaching estimates by around $5billion.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate had stepped up to save the Games, but cost blowouts forced the Queensland region to pull out as well, leaving the entire future of the Commonwealth Games in doubt.

‘We did our best and that’s all people can expect,’ Tate said.

Now, Commonwealth Games Australia is offering Scotland millions to save the 2026 games with no other nation willing to take on the financial risk.

The Victorian Government had already been slugged with a $380million bill for reneging on hosting the Games, with the Commonwealth Games Federation to use $200million of those money to ensure they go ahead in Glasgow.

Scotland had asked the UK to chip in around $4.5million to cover any security cost blowouts, but it refused and the Scottish Government will not contribute funds either.

Which led Commonwealth Games Australia to step in to offer that extra funding to ensure the event goes ahead.

Commonwealth Games Australia president Ben Houston is set to hand over millions to Scotland to ensure the Glasgow Games go ahead

CGA president Ben Houston confirmed they would be making a ‘multimillion’ investment in the Glasgow Games. 

‘Commonwealth Games Australia welcomes the enthusiasm for the games by the Scottish and UK governments,’ Houston said.

‘And we want to do all that we can to make Glasgow 2026 a reality.

‘We appreciate that the model is different and that creates perceived financial and reputational challenges.

‘But we 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 multimillion 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.’

Glasgow’s bid to host the games comes after both Victoria and the Gold Coast pulled out

The Commonwealth Games have been a popular stepping stone to the Olympics for Aussies

Houston emphasised the importance of the games as Brisbane prepares to host the 2032 Olympics. 

He said that nearly half of the Australian athletes make their debut representing the country at the Commonwealth Games. 

Additionally, more than half of those who win medals at these games go on to achieve similar success in subsequent international competitions. 

‘The Commonwealth Games are at the heart of Australia’s performance pathway, often providing the launch pad for continued and ongoing success,’ Houston said.

‘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.’

However even if the Commonwealth Games do go ahead in Glasgow, who last held the 2014 event, the next edition would be reduced to between 10 and 13 sports, about one-third less than the 2022 Birmingham Games.