Commonwealth Games 2026: Liverpool mayor calls for western Sydney to host sporting event

A push for western Sydney to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games has been championed by Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun, who says it is an opportunity for the area to become a “place of dreams”.

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: NCA NewsWire.

A southwest Sydney mayor has called on the NSW and federal governments to bring the Commonwealth Games out west following Victoria’s shock announcement to cancel the coveted sporting event.

Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun said the games should be held in western Sydney to prove the suburbs are more than just “a place full of factories and freight trucks”.

“The people here deserve the $3bn investment in funds and what better way to celebrate the new western Sydney Airport than by hosting the Commonwealth Games in an economic powerhouse,” he said.

“Victoria has dropped the ball, they’re making Australia look bad, and southwest and western Sydney residents deserve this score.”

His plea comes after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews made the shock announcement on Tuesday to axe the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to a multimillion-dollar budget blowout.

Mr Andrews said the $2.6bn cost of hosting the games had exploded to $6bn and could reach a whopping $7bn.

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun has called for the Commonwealth Games to be held in Western Sydney. Picture: Monique Harmer

“Last year when the Commonwealth Games Authorities approached us, needed someone to step in to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, as a state we were happy to help out,” Mr Andrews said.

“But, of course, not at any price and only if there was lasting benefit.”

Mr Mannoun said while western Sydney had the sporting facilities to host the games, it would need more.

“We have been disadvantaged by a lack of road, rail, and sporting infrastructure and the Commonwealth Games would help us catch up given we are well behind due to rapid population growth,” he said.

“I’d love to see the state and federal governments step up and support our people,” he said.

Ash Brazill with Assistant Coach Nicole Richardson at Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022. Picture: Sue McKay/Getty Images

Mr Mannoun said bringing the games out west would inspire communities and give the government an “opportunity to give something important to our residents”.

Parramatta lord mayor Sameer Pandey said council would “back every chance to put our city in the global spotlight”.

“We should snatch up every opportunity for global events like the games – especially if it could mean being able to fast track investment in the infrastructure western Sydney needs,” he said.

“More than 80,000 fans will descend on Olympic Park tonight for the Matildas’ opener against Ireland and millions more will watch it around the world. We want those people to put Parramatta and western Sydney on their ‘must visit’ list.”

When asked if they support move out west, a Canterbuy-Bankstown Council spokeswoman said: “This is not a local issue, it is a matter for the state government to address”.

Despite the mayor’s western Sydney bid, NSW Premier Chris Minns ruled out a last-minute bid to save the games after Victoria’s announcement.

Mr Minns said “we’re not in a position to take them on” and blamed budget pressures for his decision not to pursue the event.

“We’ve got world class facilities and of course we’re hosting the Women’s World Cup in the coming months as well as hosting the best Olympic Games ever,” he said on Tuesday.

“But we’ve also got unprecedented debt in the state and I’m not going to commit to a massive project.”