2026 Commonwealth Games: Business leader backs Gold Coast hosting 24-hour international event
A leading Australian business kingpin has backed the Gold Coast to co-host the 2026 Commonwealth Games with a twist – having athletes compete 24 hours a day on opposite sides of the globe.
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Business kingpin Katie Page has thrown her support behind the sensational push for the Gold Coast to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games – with an international edge.
The Harvey Norman CEO has joined the likes of mining magnate Gina Rinehart in supporting Mayor Tom Tate’s Games bid but says the city should join forces with Britain to make it a 24-hour party.
Ms Page says the city should co-host the Games with 2022 host Birmingham to have a truly international event which would have sports running at all hours of the day.
“If the Gold Coast can’t do the whole thing because it’s come at last minute, why wouldn’t we do it in conjunction with Birmingham and the UK with the great mayor there, Andy Street, who’s a superstar as well,” she said.
“Why couldn’t you run a Commonwealth Games in two time zones? You could have the
Commonwealth Games running for 24-hours a day.
“How fantastic would that be and they’ve both got the facilities because both Birmingham and the Gold Coast ran very successful Commonwealth Games.”
A multi-time zone Games has never been held, however similar style FIFA World Cups have occurred, with matches played across several countries.
Cr Street was contacted for comment but did not respond by deadline.
Mr Tate welcomed Ms Page’s support.
“I agree with Katie’s message – as usual, with passion,” he said.
“As I’ve said before, we are Games-ready and I’m not asking for money from the State, just in-kind support.
“And to quote Queen – ‘we want it all and we want it now’.
Perth had initially offered to co-host with the Gold Coast but Mayor Basil Zempilas pulled out, saying a lack of political will from the Western Australia government made a co-hosting arrangement unviable.
Mr Tate was buoyed by Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells opening the door to the bid in a letter last week saying she would be “willing to consider such a proposal” if support was “forthcoming from the Queensland Government”.
Mr Tate said a stripped down Gold Coast games would cost between $700m and $1bn and could easily be hosted with the state only needing to provide in-kind support such as police and public transport.
Under a stripped-down Games proposed by Mr Tate, the Gold Coast would host swimming, athletics, beach volleyball and a handful of other sports rather than a full program.
He said he expected it would bring in revenue of more than $2bn, similar to 2018, and insisted the majority of Australians would back him.
The state government remains steadfastly against the plan, with Acting Premier Steven Miles last week saying he was “absolutely focused on delivering the best Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032.”
“I think we have enough to do just making sure we get every advantage we can out of the Brisbane 2032 Games and that includes delivering housing,” he said at the time.
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