State Government agrees to talks for Adelaide Commonwealth Games 2026 bid

THE State Government has taken the first step towards bringing the Commonwealth Games to Adelaide in just eight years, with Premier Steven Marshall agreeing to start formal talks.

• Earlier this year: State Government investigates merit of bid
• News from the Gold Coast 2018 games

THE State Government has taken the first step towards bringing the Commonwealth Games to Adelaide, with Premier Steven Marshall agreeing to start formal talks about a potential bid to host the 2026 event.

Mr Marshall has accepted an invitation from Commonwealth Games Australia to participate in the first stage of the bidding process.

Advocates for an Adelaide Games have welcomed the government’s interest, urging it to seize the opportunity to lure the event to SA for the first time.

Sports Minister Corey Wingard told The Advertiser that hosting the Games was an “exciting possibility” for the state.

Mr Wingard, who attended the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April, said he had been looking into a potential bid since the Liberals came into power.

“I attended the Gold Coast Games to start the conversation,” Mr Wingard said.

“Over the coming months we’ll be able to get a better understanding about if it represents value for money.

“There’s no doubt the Commonwealth Games has many benefits, but this process is now about weighing those up against the costs.

“We won’t leave any stone unturned as we look for opportunities to grow our economy, create more jobs and get South Australian exposure on a national stage.”

Kurt Fearnley and other Australian athletes during the closing ceremony of the Gold Coast Games in April. Picture: Michael Steele / Getty Images

A Commonwealth Games Australia spokesman said all state and territory governments had been invited to join the “confidential dialogue phase”.

The Advertiser understands that New South Wales, SA and at least one other state have expressed interest in participating in the process.

“The dialogue phase is a new step in the process, allowing all stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and requirements for hosting the Games before entering a more formal feasibility phase,” the spokesman said. “The CGA will work with interested state governments and city councils where appropriate, before making a decision on whether to formally endorse a bid to host the 2026 Games.”

The spokesman said that decision would be made by late November. The Commonwealth Games Federation is scheduled to award hosting rights for the 2026 Games in September next year.

The State Government’s interest comes on the back of renewed enthusiasm for a Commonwealth Games in SA.

The Commonwealth Games Federation is scheduled to award hosting rights for the 2026 Games in September next year. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Adelaide City Council voted in March to back any potential bid, following lobbying from prominent businessman Rob Gerard.

Mr Gerard yesterday said he was “100 per cent behind” a bid.

“It must happen, it has to happen, for the future of our state,” Mr Gerard said.

Lord Mayor Martin Haese said the Games had the potential to be a catalyst for a rejuvenation of the city. “The City Council enthusiastically supported the opportunity to look further at the benefits that a Commonwealth Games might deliver,” Mr Haese said.

Olympic Marathon runner Jess Trengove — who won bronze medals at the Glasgow and Gold Coast Games — said an Adelaide Games would “inspire a generation of athletes” and promote her hometown to a global audience.

“I am really in favour of it,” Trengove said.

“It comes at a cost, but there is such a buzz around the city and it will provide new facilities that will help us host events in the future.”

The Gold Coast event cost about $2 billion.

75 photos from the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony

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SA is the only mainland Australian state not to have hosted a Commonwealth Games. It was beaten by Kuala Lumpur to host the 1998 Games, while the State Government abandoned a 2008 bid after then-treasurer Kevin Foley labelled it a “B-Grade” event.

A 2016 study from urban designer David Cooke estimated a Commonwealth Games would deliver Adelaide an economic boost of $4.4 billion and create 41,000 jobs over a decade.