‘Serious conversation’ over whether Scotland could host 2026 Commonwealth Games

A former host country has held a “serious conversation” about whether it will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Victoria cancelled.

The Scottish Government is exploring the possibility of “a multi-city, multi-partner hosting opportunity” for the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Victoria pulled the plug on hosting the tournament amid spiralling costs.

First Minister Humza Yousaf said there was “serious conversation” around whether Scotland could financially commit to holding the Commonwealth Games but its biggest hurdle was organising the country in time for a major international sporting event in less than three years.

“Let’s see what’s possible, but I think it will be quite challenging,” he said, confirming he has asked staff to explore possibilities for 2026.

Australian athletes during the Opening Ceremony for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

He said hosting the Commonwealth Games would have to be part of a “wider and broader” and potentially “multi-country” or “multi-city” effort.

Scotland has hosted the Games three times, most recently in Glasgow in 2014.

“We were desperate for the Games to go ahead in 2026, given that we know how excellent the preparations have been going for Team Scotland. It’s also an opportunity for us to compete under the Scottish banner.”

Commonwealth Games Scotland released a statement outlining its disappointment in Victoria’s withdrawal amid new uncertainty over where the event would be staged in 2026.

“Commonwealth Games Scotland is shocked to learn the news of the Victorian Government’s decision to withdraw from hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games,” said the statement.

Jessica Mauboy performed during the Closing Ceremony for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“On the back of a very successful Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games for both Team Scotland and the Commonwealth Sport Movement in general, our preparations were well under way for selecting, preparing and sending a team to Australia in three years’ time.”

London has also said it “stands” ready to step in and save the 2026 Commonwealth Games with Mayor Sadiq Khan saying the “sporting capital of the world” would be the perfect host after the success of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

“Any decision to bid for the Commonwealth Games would need to be taken by the Government. London as a sporting capital stands ready to support if required,” the Mayor said.

A UK Government spokesman on Friday said Melbourne withdrawing as host was “disappointing news for both fans and athletes.”

It did not reveal its hand on submitting a bid to host in 2026 but said, “We hope that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and Commonwealth Games Australia will now work together to find a viable solution to hosting the event in 2026 so that athletes have the chance to compete and fans have the opportunity to enjoy this incredible event.“

Australia coach Stacey Marinkovic celebrates with players at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Picture: Jacob King/PA Images

What would hinder any possible rescue attempts within the British Government corridors of power is the substantial costs involved, the short time frame and the target of getting Uefa’s Euro football championships in 2028.

Birmingham stepped in to stage a successful 2022 Games when the South African city of Durban was stripped of hosting rights due to financial issues and missing important deadlines.

The CGF was left stunned when it was told this week that the 2026 Games were being axed by the hosts.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said that spending “six to seven billion Australian dollars” on the 12-day sporting event “did not represent value for money, that is all cost and no benefit”.

Premier Daniel Andrews cancelled the Victorian Commonwealth Games due to financial woes.

“It’s more than twice the estimated economic benefit the Games would bring our State,” he said.

“When the Commonwealth Games needed a host city to step in at the last minute, we were willing to help – but not at price. And not without a big lasting benefit for regional Victoria.”

The only time the Commonwealth Games have ever been cancelled was during the Second World War.

The CGF, which was given only eight hours’ notice and said no consideration was given to discussing the situation to jointly find solutions prior to this decision being reached, would not comment on whether it had received any official bids to host the 2026 Games.

“We won’t be making any further comment at this stage,” a spokeswoman said.

“We are taking advice on the options available to us and remain committed to finding a solution for the Games in 2026.”

The 2026 Games were due to be the first of the new era of King Charles after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September at the age of 96.

But there is a major concern that the next tournament, previously known as the British Empire Games, could soon become scrapped altogether unless they are postponed by several years.

Originally published as ‘Serious conversation’ over whether Scotland could host 2026 Commonwealth Games