Victoria announced as first multi-site host for Commonwealth Games

April 12, 2022

Five Victorian towns and cities will stage the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the state was confirmed as the host of the 2026 event.

The announcement by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) comes after a period of exclusive negotiations, with Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) and the Victorian Government last month submitting a delivery concept for consideration.

While the 100,000-capacity MCG will stage the opening ceremony in March 2026, the first-ever multi-location Games will see four regional hubs established in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland, each with their own athletes’ village and sport program.

Shepparton will also host sporting and cultural events as part of the Games program while there will also be a strong para sport program, with six sports already locked in.

An announcement from the Victorian Government advised that further work is being done with the CGF and CGA to determine if additional sports will be included in the 'Victoria 2026' program, which may open opportunities for other locations to host events.

It added “’Victoria 2026’ will also invest significantly in community infrastructure, including housing and world-class sports facilities (to) … will leave a legacy of … modern sports infrastructure to encourage Victorians to get active and attract future major events.”

Announcing the hosting, CGF President Dame Louise Martin, commented “Commonwealth Games Australia and the Victorian Government have set out a bold and innovative vision for hosting our major multi-sport event.

“In Victoria, we believe we have found the perfect partner for the next stage of our journey.

“This a very special moment for the Commonwealth Sport Family and on behalf of the entire Movement, I would like to congratulate Commonwealth Games Australia and Victoria on their successful Games submission. We now look forward to a bright future as we work together to stage a Commonwealth Games like no other.”

CGF’s 2026/30 Strategic Roadmap seeks to provide future hosts and sports with the renewed flexibility to be innovative and creative in delivering the Games, at a time when the CGF has faced difficulties in securing hosts. Significantly, the CGF’s extensive overhaul of its showpiece event will also see only athletics and aquatics retained as proposed compulsory sports from its 2026 edition.

Beyond the field of play, Victoria 2026 will feature a program of cultural and business engagement experiences that bring to life the Commonwealth Games values of humanity, equality and destiny - and embracing the state’s diversity and rich cultural history.

Welcoming the hosting announcement, Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) Chief Executive, Felicia Mariani, said the announcement was an incredible outcome for the state and represented the crowning glory on what has been a record-breaking season of events in Melbourne.

Mariani noted “today’s announcement that Victoria has secured the right to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games is an unbelievable outcome that reaffirms Victoria’s position as the events capital of Australia and fortifies our trajectory for recovery.”

Images: Initial reports suggest that track and field events will take place at the 11,000-capacity Mars Stadium in Ballarat (top) while Geelong Leisurelink could stage aquatic competition (middle). Shepparton has hosted international BMX competition in recent years and may well do so for Victoria 2026 (below).

11th April 2022 - Massive Crowds enjoy Melbourne’s Grand Prix Action

29th March 2022 - Geelong community encouraged to participate in government hospitality and entertainment program

17th March 2022 - Victoria presents formal bid to host 2026 Commonwealth Games

9th March 2022 - Ballarat to host Australian Regional Tourism Convention in 2022

21st February 2022 - Construction begins on Geelong’s Northern Aquatic and Community Hub

16th February 2022 - Regional-led 2026 Commonwealth Games likely as Victorian Government enter exclusive bid negotiations

15th February 2022 - Mars to continue naming rights for Ballarat stadium

10th February 2022 - Tasmanian Government considers 2026 Commonwealth Games bid

30th January 2022 - Mildura will be ready to host sport events if Victoria secures 2026 Commonwealth Games

25th January 2022 - Preparatory works commence on Geelong Convention Centre

19th January 2022 - Without a host city Commonwealth Games Federation looks to Victoria for 2026 Games

1st January 2022 - Australia’s 2022 summer of tennis starts in Bendigo and Traralgon

24th December 2021 - Stage five renovation of Geelong’s Kardinia Park to include indoor training facility

7th October 2021 - Bendigo Stadium Limited announces new Chief Executive appointment

22nd August 2021 - World Rugby’s Katie Sadleir named new Chief Executive at the Commonwealth Games Federation

1st July 2021 - Venues in regional Victoria see prospects for hosting AFL Premiership fixtures

7th May 2021 - AOC, Commonwealth Games Australia and Paralympics Australia welcome introduction of national integrity framework for sport

21st February 2021 - Victorian regional bid for 2030 Commonwealth Games stalled due to Coronavirus

17th February 2021 - VTIC fear loss of jobs in Victoria tourism and events without further support

9th November 2020 - New Victorian tourism campaign encourages exploration of local destinations

23rd October 2020 - Victorian tourism industry unites in aim to drive reopening of visitor economy

31st October 2020 - South Australian Government ends interest in Adelaide hosting 2026 Commonwealth Games

19th November 2019 - Gold Coast looks to expand post-Commonwealth Games volunteer network

25th September 2019 - Gold Coast sport venue welcomes a million patrons since 2018 Commonwealth Games

15th July 2019 - Commonwealth Games venues deliver massive ongoing economic benefits for the Gold Coast

8th April 2019 - Quayclean’s Commonwealth Games achievements help team members in career advancement

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.