Still no home for 2026 Commonwealth Games, a year after Dan Andrews dumped Vic’s

This Thursday will mark the one year anniversary of ex Premier Dan Andrews’ shock announcement that Victoria would dump the 2026 Commonwealth Games. This is where things stand now.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games remains up in the air and without a home, nearly one year to the day that Daniel Andrews stunned the world and spectacularly pulled out of hosting the event.

This Thursday will mark the one year anniversary of the former Premier blindsiding the Commonwealth Games Federation when he announced Victoria would walk away as host state.

The former Andrews government signed up to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games across five regional Victorian cities, announcing details of the plan in the lead-up to the 2022 state election.

But on July 18 2023, Mr Andrews dumped the deal with the Commonwealth Games Federation, saying the event’s initial $2.6bn budget had blown out to $6 to $7bn.

Former Victorian Premier Dan Andrews and ex Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula, announcing Victoria will be bidding for the 2026 Commonwealth Games: Picture: Ian Currie.

Twelve months on, Australia’s budding young athletes still have no certainty they will have an event to aspire towards in two years time.

In April this year, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) said it is considering “multiple proposals to host the 2026 Games”.

“Significant progress has been made and we are excited by the early concepts, which aim to reset and reframe the Games,” they said.

But when contacted this week by the Sunday Herald Sun, the Commonwealth Games Federation remained tight lipped, saying there is no update and more time is needed.

Auditor-General Andrew Greaves this year found the government’s price tag of $6-7bn was overstated and overall costs were on track to hit $4.9bn.

He determined the cancellation had cost taxpayers $589m, including the $380m compensation fee and $150m spent on organisers’ wages and operating costs.

Ex Premier Dan Andrews later dumped the games. Picture: Ian Currie.

Deputy Liberal leader David Southwick said Victorian taxpayers were still without answers about the embarrassing saga.

“12 months may have passed but Victorians are no closer to the answers they deserve over Labor’s $600 million Commonwealth Games debacle,” he said.

“This event proved to be nothing more than a political con, yet Premier Jacinta Allan has never taken responsibility for her leading role in this shameful episode.”

Ms Allan, who at the time was the Minister responsible for delivering the Games, repeatedly refused requests to front a Victorian parliamentary inquiry into the cancellation.

In May this year, Commonwealth Games Australia accused Daniel Andrews of trying to “trash the brand with the Australian public” for political benefit.

Chief executive of CGA, Craig Phillips said the withdrawal placed “immense pressure on the Commonwealth Sport Movement brand”.

“At times it even seemed that, for his own political expediency, then Premier Andrews, was attempting to trash the brand with the Australian public,” he said.