AusLeisure

The Victorian Government has announced that the state’s hosting of the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held from 17th to 29th March in that year.

Beginning with the Opening Ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Games will feature 12 days of competition at event hubs set for Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland,

Revealing the dates, Victorian Deputy Premier and Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery, Jacinta Allan advised “we’ve locked in the dates for the Commonwealth’s finest athletes to compete for gold in regional Victoria at the 2026 Games.

“We’re getting on with delivering this global sporting event and including more sports will draw more of the Commonwealth’s finest athletes to our own backyard to inspire Victorians.”

Commonwealth Games Australia President, Ben Houston added “Commonwealth Games Australia is excited about welcoming the athletes of the Commonwealth to Victoria during the second half of March 2026.

“This time of year traditionally sees Victoria’s climate at its best and conducive to top sporting performances.”

In a Commonwealth Games first, Victoria 2026’s multi-city model will have its own athletes’ village and host a range of sports that will create a legacy for Victoria that extends well beyond the competition period.

Sports so far flagged include aquatics, badminton, athletics and para-athletics, boxing, beach volleyball, cricket t20, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls and para lawn bowls, netball, rugby 7s, squash, table tennis and para-table tennis, triathlon and para-triathlon, and weightlifting and para-powerlifting.

In addition, an expressions of interest process for additional sports to be included in the Games has commenced and will involve submissions from international sporting federations with support from recognised or affiliated Australian organisations.

The period for consideration will close on 19th August.

International Federations wanting to express an interest in participating in Victoria 2026 should email Victoria2026Sports@sport.vic.gov.au

Image: Medal winning swimmers at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

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