Calls for two Australian states to save the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Victoria cancelled the event

NSW and Western Australia have been called upon to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed his state won’t host the global event due to the $6billion cost.

Andrews confirmed the bombshell news on Tuesday, declaring his government couldn’t justify the huge financial outlay.

The Games were to be staged in regional Victoria in areas such as Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland and Shepparton.

Sydney quickly became a replacement option in the eyes of many – the Harbour City last hosted a Commonwealth Games in 1938 – as it has much of the infrastructure in place after hosting the 2000 Olympics.

‘There’s no question we’ve got the venues … and March would be a good time to host it,’ former Australian Olympic Committee boss John Coates said.

Calls have increased for NSW and Western Australia to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed his state won’t host the global event

Decorated Australian swimmer James Magnussen said it will be the athletes who suffer following the bombshell announcement

‘I’d love to see it come here …(in) 2026 it would coincide with the aerotropolis (opening in western Sydney). There’s the venues, the sports have the ability to organise it.

‘It’d be great for Sydney’s reputation.’

Sadly for sports enthusiasts in Sydney, NSW Premier Chris Minns ruled out any chance of his state staging the event. 

Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas urged the WA Government to seize the opportunity, but Premier Roger Cook dismissed the prospect.

The South Australian government also confirmed they won’t be stepping in to rescue the Games, and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk refused to even entertain the idea given her state is hosting the 2032 Olympics.

Decorated Australian swimmer James Magnussen – who won gold in the 4x100m relay at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast – labelled Andrews’ announcement ‘disappointing.’

‘The Commonwealth Games holds a special place in Australian athletes’ hearts. We don’t get a grand final every year like in the football codes. We train year-round to perform often once per year,’ he said on SEN Radio.

‘You’ve got a World Champs year, you’ve got a Commonwealth Games year, and you’ve got an Olympics year. Take that out of the cycle and we’re racing once every two years.

‘As an athlete who competed at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, and for all those fans who went along…that was a massive event and was very well received.

Premier Chris Minns has ruled out NSW swooping in to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is not even entertaining the idea given her state is hosting the 2032 Olympics

‘It still holds a lot of importance in the sporting landscape here in Australia. That’s essentially the biggest recruitment tool for a sport like swimming. People are watching NRL and AFL every weekend.

‘Something like the Commonwealth Games on home soil just ignites that dream for a young athlete. It has a huge impact on those sports.’

Retired Aussie tennis star turned Victorian politician Sam Groth was scathing on Twitter following the development.

‘The Premier, Deputy Premier and the Andrews Labor government has failed regional Victoria,’ the Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events tweeted.

‘It’s an embarrassment and is hugely damaging to our international reputation as a global events leader. 

‘Labor cannot be believed any longer as it continues to break its promises.’