Seven nations show interest in hosting the 2030 and 2034 Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games looks set to continue beyond 2026 after Scotland made a “brave decision” to take on the event scrapped by the Victorian government.
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Concerns the Glasgow Commonwealth Games could be the last for the historic sporting event have subsided after seven nations declared interest in holding the 2030 and 2034 Games.
Glasgow 2026’s chief executive Phil Batty said Scotland made a “brave” decision to hold the upcoming event and the seven expressions of interest to host future Games proved the Commonwealth Games has a bright future.
“Scotland took a brave decision to step up and host the Games in Glasgow, and it is clear that 2026 will be a pivotal moment in the history of this important global multi-sport event,” he said.
“Scotland’s bold vision for a new financially sustainable Games is fuelled by the success of Glasgow 2014 and characterised by the city’s ingenuity and creative spirit.
“I have every confidence Glasgow 2026 will pioneer a new model for the major event – one that delivers a successful Games on time, on budget, and with high-quality sport at the heart of the experience”.
Commonwealth Sport’s chief executive officer Katie Sadleir said nations including Canada, India and Nigeria have publicly revealed their interest in hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games while New Zealand has shown interest in hosting the 2034 Games.
She praised Scotland for hosting the 2026 Games “within an incredibly tight time frame” after it rescued the event following the Victorian government’s controversial decision in 2023 to pull out because of soaring costs.
“We are thrilled with the incredible interest from around the Commonwealth in hosting the 2030 centennial Commonwealth Games and beyond,” Ms Sadleir said.
“We cannot understate the hugely significant role Scotland has played in this change, having the foresight, tenacity and innovative thinking to step forward and host the Games in Glasgow in 2026 within an incredibly tight time frame, building on their legacy of Glasgow 2014”.
The overhauled Commonwealth Games model with fewer sports – 10 in total – is expected to cost £114m (A$235.2).
The event will be fully funded by Victorian taxpayers after the former premier Daniel Andrews abandoned the Games.
It does not require any funding from the Glasgow City Council, the Scottish or UK governments.
Commonwealth Sport invited its 74 Games Association members to express their interest to host the 2030 event and future Games by the end of March this year.
The host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is expected to be finalised in November.
Last month Australia’s Chef de Mission at the Glasgow Games, Petria Thomas, told News Corp the Victorian government’s decision to axe the Games two years ago was “done and dusted”.
“I think the positive out of all of this is that the Games are going ahead and yes, I know the residents of Victoria would be disappointed and angry at the way it’s all come about,” she said.
The Glasgow Games will be held from July 23 to August 2 next year.
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