How a ‘scaled down’ 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will look
Glasgow could be confirmed as the host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games as early as this week, but it will be a seriously slimmed down event. Here’s what is could look like.
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Glasgow could be signed, sealed and delivered as host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games as early as this week.
Commonwealth Games Scotland has proposed an event that will include just 10 sports - the minimum under the Commonwealth Games Foundation’s (CGF) strategic roadmap unveiled in 2021 - held at just four venue precincts in a 13km radius in Glasgow, allowing the event to be staged for (pounds) 114m ($223.4m).
While Commonwealth Games Scotland has asked for no money from the public purse, given the bulk of funding will come directly from penalties the Victorian Government was forced to pay after reneging on its agreement to host the Games, the Scottish and UK governments still have to endorse the bid.
Despite some initial concerns, it’s believed both levels of government are extremely close to signing off on the bid.
The announcement though was never going to be made during the Paris Olympics or Paralympics, with Glasgow set to get its moment in the sun once the bid has the all clear.
That has to come quickly though, with the future of the Commonwealth Games literally in the balance.
With Victoria withdrawing from the Games - a decision the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office estimated has cost the state more than $589 million - and Canadian province Alberta withdrawing a bid for the 2030 edition, the multi-sport event is on its knees, with Glasgow seemingly its last chance for survival after Malaysia and Singapore eventually decided against hosting.
Any event that goes ahead in Glasgow will be a significantly scaled down version though, something that is likely to become the new normal for the Commonwealth Games - and potentially, the Olympics.
With the sports being held at existing venues, we examine those most likely for a Glasgow Games - and those that could be left high and dry.
Australia’s bid to save plagued Comm Games
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Commonwealth Games Australia offers millions to help save Scotland event
Commonwealth Games Australia has offered millions of dollars to the Scottish government — effectively paid for by Victorian taxpayers — to help it roll out the Games in Glasgow.