Report suggests New Zealand could host 2026 Winter Olympics

Latest News

Report suggests New Zealand could host 2026 Winter Olympics

May 8, 2015

A new report suggests it is feasible for New Zealand to host the Olympic Winter Games in 2026.

The pre-feasibility report compiled by Queenstown man Bruce McGechan calculates the net economic value to New Zealand of $4.9 billion. This was made up of $5.6 billion of benefits, and $595 million of Government costs.

To host the Games, the report recommends the Olympics be held in Auckland and Queenstown with Olympic villages, and media and broadcast centres to be built in both cities, as well as further hotel accommodation and transport infrastructure.

In addition to existing venues, the report suggests five multi-purpose 5,000-person indoor stadia would be built in Auckland which would temporarily include ice rinks. Two of these would then be relocated to Wellington and Christchurch post the Olympics.

Queenstown already has world-class ski and snowboard venues and the highest international level of ski and snowboard competitions (FIS World Cup), McGechan says.

The sliding and ski jump venues would be hosted in an existing third country facility.

The report also notes that Melbourne and/or Auckland, along with Queenstown could be a hosting combination.

McGechan recommended the New Zealand Olympic Committee board ask the New Zealand Government to conduct a full feasibility study into the potential hosting.

Brisbane and Melbourne are currently considering bidding for the 2026 Olympics.

30th April 2015 - IOC PRESIDENT BACKS 2028 AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC BID DURING CANBERRA VISIT

9th December 2014 - PYEONGCHANG WINTER OLYMPICS EVENTS COULD MOVE OUTSIDE KOREA

6th November 2014 - QUEENSTOWN TOURISM WINS AT NEW ZEALAND AWARDS

5th May 2014 - SNOW SPORTS NZ AND CARDRONA ALPINE RESORT SIGN PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

4th December 2012 - WINTER GAMES NZ TO DELIVER UNPRECEDENTED INTERNATIONAL MEDIA PROFILE

19th November 2009 - SPARC INCREASES INVESTMENT IN HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORT

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.