Commonwealth Games boss’ vows after Daniel Andrews cancelled the Melbourne Games
The new Commonwealth Games boss has revealed how they’ll change the event forever with a $200m windfall after it was dumped by former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.
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EXCLUSIVE: The boss of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games admits it was a risk rescuing the sporting event after it was dumped by the Victorian government but believes it will provide “huge economic benefits” for Scotland.
Phil Batty, who was appointed the Games’ chief executive officer in January, forecast Scotland’s largest city would enjoy a $200m windfall from hosting a slimmed-down version of the event – through accommodation, retail and hospitality spending.
In his first interview with an Australian media outlet since jagging the top job, he said more than half a million tickets would go on sale later in the year, along with a push for 3000 volunteers.
“I think the decision for Scotland to step up and step in and host the games was a really brave one,” Mr Batty said.
“We know Australians love the Commonwealth Games and love the Commonwealth so this was a really important moment for the movement.
“This is about a new model, this is a complete game changing moment not just for Commonwealth Games but for major multi-sporting events as a whole, and Scotland’s leading the way in that journey”.
The Games were controversially dumped by former Victorian premier Daniel Andrew in 2023 after he said the budget had blown about by between $6 billion to $7 billion.
The Victorian Auditor-General last year said pulling out of hosting the Games would cost taxpayers about $589 million.
Mr Andrews, current Premier Jacinta Allan, former minister for business precincts Martin Pakula and former treasurer Tim Pallas were named in a parliamentary report as bearing responsibility for the axing of the event.
The report found Victoria failed to properly plan and consult key stakeholders, going as far as to say the event should have been abandoned earlier.
Mr Batty previously said the Games would bring more than £100m ($A198.9m) of investment into Glasgow – largely handed over by Victorian taxpayers.
Money will be spent upgrading some venues including a new athletics track at Scotstoun Stadium and improving facilities at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
On top of this, about £50m ($A103.6m) is forecast to be poured into ticketing, sponsorships and broadcasting rights.
There will be no cost at all to Scotland to deliver the event.
“A big part of investing in a world-class sporting event is making sure the 300 athletes that attend absolutely compete at an elite level so we are investing in the athlete experience, we’re investing in getting spectators around the venues in that eight mile corridor (where the venues are located),” Mr Batty said.
“This is a pivotal moment for the Commonwealth Games. We know that the 2026 Games are being hosted in Scotland but that was a journey to get to this point.
“It’s a big investment coming into Scotland, into the city of Glasgow, and we are going to make the most of this huge opportunity.
“One of the strengths of Glasgow is all the infrastructure and venues are already here, they are used on a regular basis for world championships, and lots were used for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, so it’s really a Commonwealth Games designed for the city and using the assets of the city”.
Seven nations – including Canada, India and Nigeria – have also shown interest in hosting the 2030 Games but a location has not yet been decided.
In March, Australia’s Chef de Mission Petria Thomas told News Corp that the Victorian government’s decision to axe the games was “done and dusted” and organisers of the Glasgow event were doing their best to move on.
She said the cancellation of the Games two years ago was “obviously highly disappointing for everyone involved in the movement”.
The 2026 Games will also be significantly watered down – at the Birmingham Games in 2022 there were 19 sports but this has been reduced to 10 sports next year.
This includes athletics, swimming, gymnastics, track cycling, netball, weightlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and basketball held at four venues.
Sports axed from the 2026 Games include cricket, hockey, badminton, wrestling and rugby sevens.
News Corp toured two of the four major sites that will host the Games, including the Arena and Velodrome, plus Scotstoun Stadium. All have the required infrastructure to host the 10 events across the allocated venues when the event runs from July 23 to August 2 next year.
For tourists planning to visit Glasgow for the Games, the city’s public transport network includes train and bus networks.
The Games’ organisers are yet to start the drive for up to 3000 volunteers – this is expected to begin later this year – but the paid roles are already being advertised given the event is just 14 months away.
Mr Batty said there will be more than half a million tickets to go on sale later this year.
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