2026 Commonwealth Games cancelled!

[DerbyCountyinNZ]

https://timesnewsgroup.com.au/geelongtimes/news/games-over-2026-commonwealth-games-cancelled/

[DerbyCountyinNZ]

They could probably have saved it if they'd dropped a few sports, all the team sports for a start.

[Occasional Hope]

I wonder if they'll try to find a new host or if it's too late

[DerbyCountyinNZ]

Maybe if they cut it down. Or they could split it up, as long as they have the Commonwealth Athletics Champs in Victoria (or New Zealand).

[Chafford1]

Australia and England have been the only countries bidding for the CGs in recent years. Looks as if Birmingham might end up as being the last Games.

[Chafford1]

Perhaps Birmingham could pick up the 2026 Games at short notice. All the facilities are in place apart from the temporary stands at the Alexander Stadium. Would need to coordinate timings with the European Championships.

[MR_ME]

Facilities have been downgraded already, and the athletes village has been converted to housing.

[Ladyloz]

Perhaps Birmingham could pick up the 2026 Games at short notice. All the facilities are in place apart from the temporary stands at the Alexander Stadium. Would need to coordinate timings with the European Championships.

Realistically hosting another Commonwealths and a European Athletics Championships in the space of a few weeks is a no go.

[MR_ME]

It will be back in the UK or it will be over by the look of things.

[PotterHoppo96]

I think had it not being them being the Commonwealth's main promotional thing they would have probably been ended as an event ages ago.

I don't see who else goes for it, maybe another area in Australia but realistically why would Adelaide or Perth spend a fortune on it? We've just hosted it here in the UK, the government isn't gonna contribute 75% of costs or something like they did for Brum 2022. Canada NewZealand etc seemingly not interested, no major bids from Africa or Asia forthcoming.

What they might have to do is maybe host it across the Commonwealth, maybe Nairobi can justify the Athletics in the same way it can't justify a velodrome, swimming pool, numerous indoor venues, etc.

[marra]

From a financial point of view this has obviously been been struggling to find hosts for several editions now. And the prestige of the games has decreased over time.

Still, from a purely sporting perspective, have to say that it's a huge shame to see it seemingly dying a death.

[Ursus]

Kind of of its time, but the numbers have to stack up. Some of the fields last time out were small and poor. And the Commonwealth will probably only get smaller.

Might also be an opportunity for a city, presumably in the UK, to be a standing host though so the wheel doesn’t have to be reinvented every time.

[Laps]

Smaller maybe. Though the Commonwealth has tended to gain members (Mozambique, Rwanda, Togo, Gabon) rather than lose them (Zimbabwe, Hong Kong).
Perhaps the loss of the games would be more important politically than a loss to sport.

[treadwater1]

The BBC article mentioned that when bidding the Aussies were keen on adding more events than the the CGF thought advisable. This must have pushed the costs up further than necessary. With the 2032 Olympics on the horizon perhaps it's no surprise that the Aus government declined the opportunity to stump up yet more money.

[marra]

There's some debate being had about the accuracy of the figures being bandied about by the Victoria government today. They seem vastly out of kilter with previous costs of editions of the Games.

[Chafford1]

Particularly sad for sports such as netball for whom the Commonwealth Games was their most high profile tournament.

[DerbyCountyinNZ]

Gold Coast willing to step in: https://www.athletics.com.au/news/st...p9zinTCARnqCm8

[marra]

They've said it, but only on condition that it is supported by state/federal gov't. And that funding hasn't been offered yet, especially on the state level as they've said they are focused on the 2032 Olympics.

Whilst it would be good to see a host like GC emerge, I think there's still a lot of barriers to get over first.

[Occasional Hope]

Similarly the mayor of London said they could do it, but then in the small print only if central government paid.

[Loop-guru]

London "stands ready"

According to the article ticket sales dwarf costs but the costs are upfront which can be a bit tricky, Rishi not a fan of the idea.

https://www.timeout.com/london/news/will-london-host-the-2026-commonwealth-games-072523

[Chafford1]

Alberta's bid for the 2030 CGs has now been withdrawn due to costs. The end of the road for the Games, at least in its current format?

[MR_ME]

If it is only ever held in the UK, then the locals will stop feeling like the event is special and worth attending. Maybe a London games in 2026 will be a fitting grand finale?

[milkshake]

could they forget about the 2026 games and try and reboot it in 2030