The Commonwealth Games is a quadrennial international multi-sport event that brings together athletes from across the Commonwealth of Nations, a political association comprising the majority of former territories of the British Empire.
An extensive bidding process for the 2026 Commonwealth Games began in 2018 and concluded in 2022 with the state of Victoria, Australia, being announced as the host. Originally, the host city was to be revealed in 2019 in Rwanda, but this was cancelled due to a lack of interest. Victoria's bid was confirmed by Dame Louise Martin, head of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). However, after Victoria withdrew as host in July 2023, citing the unwillingness to spend A$7 billion on a 12-day event, a second selection process was initiated. This culminated in Glasgow being chosen as the new host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Second selection On 18 July 2023, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews and Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan announced the state government intended to cancel the 2026 Victorian Games. Fifteen months after agreeing to host the Games, the Premier said the cost had escalated to an estimated 6–7 billion, double the estimated economic benefits for the state, and the government could not justify the expense. The state said it would terminate its host agreement with the Commonwealth Games Federation and seek a settlement of the contract. The withdrawal prompted a new search for a host for the 2026 Games.
Following the cancellation of Victoria in hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games, other countries explored the possibility of hosting the games in place of Victoria.
Winner CityCountryCommonwealth Games CommitteeResultGlasgowCommonwealth Games Scotland (CGS)WinnerOn 11 April 2024, it was announced that Glasgow was being considered as a "last possibility" to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games if no other host emerged, as a way to safeguard the event. The Games were proposed to be on a smaller scale, with venues from the 2014 Commonwealth Games being reused, and athlete accommodation possibly comprising a mix of hotels and student residences from Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of Glasgow. The costs would be fully covered by the Commonwealth Games Federation and corporate sponsors. Discussions were ongoing between Commonwealth Games Scotland, the Scottish Government, and EventScotland, with an official bid expected by the end of the month, though one was not submitted at that time. On 25 July 2024, it was reported by the BBC that a decision on hosting would be made in August. By 11 August 2024, speculation grew that Glasgow had reached an agreement to take on the hosting rights, and on 30 August 2024, the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland issued a statement outlining a compact Games concept featuring 10 sports across four venues, including Scotstoun Stadium and Tollcross International Swimming Centre. Finally, on 17 September 2024, it was confirmed that the Scottish Government had agreed to host the Games, with financial support from Commonwealth Games Australia.
Explored bids
Accra On 8 April 2024, the Commonwealth Games Federation announced that a new host for the 2026 Games was likely to be announced the following month, and the next day, the Ghana Minister for Youth and Sports Mustapha Ussif confirmed the country's interest in hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the capital, Accra, successfully hosted the 2023 African Games in March 2024.
London Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said that London, "would be ready" to bid for the 2026 Games if needed.
British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said that they would wait for initial discussions from the organisers to conclude before encouraging any of the countries of the United Kingdom to bid. Former Premier of Queensland, Peter Beattie, who oversaw the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast as the chairman, stated that returning the Games to the United Kingdom would be the only realistic option in saving the 2026 Games, citing Glasgow and Birmingham as potential hosts due to their experience in hosting the 2014 and 2022 editions respectively.
In March 2024, the London Mayor, Sadiq Khan reiterated his backing for the capital to host the games and “stands ready” to step in, but the decision would need to be taken by the Government. London had previously hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
Cancelled potential bids Europe
Birmingham Conservative MP Michael Fabricant called for Birmingham, who had hosted the Games in 2022, to host once again. Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, who oversaw the 2022 Games stated that he would be happy to see the games return to the UK again. The Conservative group at Birmingham City Council called for the Commonwealth Games to be permanently based in the city. However the administration confirmed that Birmingham was not "games-ready" to host in 2026 as the athletes village was already being converted into housing, and stated that "it's now someone else's turn to stage this amazing event".
The Welsh Conservatives called for the Welsh Government to bid for the 2026 Games citing that the games would bring "immense benefits" to the country but the proposal was rejected due to budget conflicts with the UK Government.
Asia
Ahmedabad or Bhubaneswar
Ahmedabad has been considered as a potential location to host the 2026 Games. Sources reported that the Government of Gujarat said that the city would likely bid if given approval by the Government of India. Ahmedabad is also planning a bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, with the Government of Gujarat stating that the venues proposed for the 2036 Games would be ready for 2026. However, it was later confirmed that the state was focused more on bidding for the 2036 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. India hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha was considered a potential host city for hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The city, renowned for its robust sports infrastructure, has successfully hosted several major international events, including the 2018 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, as well as the 2023 Men's FIH Hockey World Cup. It has also hosted 2017 Asian Athletics Championships. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra expressed ambition for Bhubaneswar to become a key venue for international sporting events, highlighting the city's readiness and capabilities. Odisha Sports Minister Vishal Dev also noted that Bhubaneswar could be a prominent city for hosting the Olympics, should India win the bid, reflecting the state's aspiration to be a leading sports hub. Bhubaneswar continues to strive for opportunities to host significant global sports events, underscoring its role as a major player in the international sports arena.
On 11 March 2024, the Olympic Council of Malaysia released a statement saying that Malaysia has been offered the opportunity by the CGF to replace Victoria, Australia, as the host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. On 22 March 2024, the Cabinet of Malaysia decided to decline the invitation after studying the matter from all aspects, including costs and other implications. Additionally, the Federal Government of Malaysia would not want to use taxpayers money to fund the games, as well as the potential of these games, if delayed to 2027, to clash with the 2027 SEA Games, which are also scheduled to be held in Malaysia.
On 14 March 2024, it was announced by Commonwealth Games Singapore and Sport Singapore that Singapore is currently assessing the feasibility to host the games after it was invited by the CGF to do so. A joint statement on Wednesday (3 April) by Sport Singapore and the Commonwealth Games Singapore said that the two sports bodies "have studied the feasibility of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and have decided not to make any bid to host the Games".
Oceania
Following the withdrawal of Victoria's bid, all Australian state and territory leaders ruled out hosting the Games due to the high expected costs and short timeframe. Adelaide The South Australian Government said it had examined hosting the Games in Adelaide, but concluded it would cost $3.5 billion with only $1.2 billion in benefits. Perth Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas called for Perth to host the Games, however this was immediately ruled out by the Premier of Western Australia. Hobart In February 2022, Premier of Tasmania Peter Gutwein submitted a formal expression of interest for the state to host the Games, with Hobart as the hub. A government briefing note on the proposal acknowledged that the state lacked the required international-standard sporting facilities and a suitable venue for opening and closing ceremonies. The bid was unsuccessful, with the Games subsequently being awarded to regional Victoria in April 2022. Gold Coast After all Australian state and territory leaders ruled out hosting the Games due to the high expected costs and short timeframe Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the city is prepared to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games — as long as the federal government redirects funding. Tate said he would also want support from the state government, however in December 2023, it was announced that Gold Coast would withdraw its bid.
Christchurch The Mayor of Christchurch, Phil Mauger said that Christchurch should "push in" and host the event. However the New Zealand Olympic Committee said that they had no intention in putting a bid in for New Zealand and would rather wait for the 2034 Games.
First selection
Bidding calendar During the CGF General Assembly on 31 March 2017 in Gold Coast, after the troubled 2022 Commonwealth Games host city bid process, the executive board announced that it had planned to award both 2026 and 2030 Commonwealth Games simultaneously at the CGF General Assembly scheduled for Kigali, Rwanda in September 2019. A new model called CGF Partnerships (CGFP) was implemented. This aims to give stronger support to the associations and cities that show interests in hosting future Games, and enhance the overall value of the event. This is similar to the process used by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 2017. +Bidding process of the 2026 and 2030 Commonwealth GamesExpress interest (launched in April 2018)Commitment to bid (2020)CGF General Assembly (2021)Dialogue phase
Frame opportunity Understand impact Stakeholder initial engagementFeasibility phase
Develop games concept Test feasibility Align stakeholdersCandidature phase
Finalise games concept plan Develop candidate file Secure guarantees and fundingEvaluation of the bids
Winner RegionCountryCommonwealth Games CommitteeResultVictoriaCommonwealth Games AustraliaWinnerIn January 2022 the Victorian State Government announced it was giving serious consideration to a late request from the CGF to host the Games. On 16 February 2022, Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews confirmed that the state was in exclusive negotiations with the CGF to host the Games. If successful in seeking to host the Games a second time, a Victorian bid would aim to emphasise the state's regional centres – such as Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo – as opposed to being predominantly Melbourne-based, such as in 2006. Bendigo had hosted the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games. Acceptance of the bid will likely also be conditional upon agreement on ways to control costs, such as housing athletes and officials in hotels rather than a dedicated village. This bid was confirmed as successful on 12 April 2022.
Attempted bids
Asia India