Fears that 2026 Commonwealth Games could be cancelled for the first time since the Second World War after Australia’s Gold Coast withdraws bid to host sporting event
- READ MORE: Aussies react to the Gold Coast withdrawing its bid to host Games
Fears have risen that the 2026 Commonwealth Games could be cancelled for the first time since the Second World War after Australia’s Gold Coast withdrew its bid to host the sporting event.
The city hosted the games in 2018, with its mayor Tom Tate insisting it could do it again for the upcoming event.
But Gold Coast has now withdrawn from hosting as governments say the cost of the event is soaring, while others argue the Games’ global relevance has dwindled.
Organisers said they might be forced to postpone or cancel the next instalment of the Games – with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) struggling to find a host for some time.
The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport competition that happens once every four years – only ever cancelled during World War Two.
The Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Alexander Stadium, Birmingham
Fears have risen that the 2026 Commonwealth Games could be cancelled for the first time since the Second World War
Fireworks explode above the the Alexander Stadium during the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022
England’s Emily Campbell and Jack Laugher lead the England team into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
Organisers said they might be forced to postpone or cancel the next instalment of the Games
Gold medalist Australia’s Jessica Stenson celebrates winning and taking the gold medal in the women’s Marathon final on day two of the Commonwealth Games in 2022
Contestants must be from one of more than 70 nations or territories, many of which were part of the British Empire.
In a statement on Sunday, mayor Tom Tate said: ‘We did our best and that’s all people can expect.
‘In simple terms, it seems our Games’ vision doesn’t align with the vision of the state or federal governments.’
The move comes after the Australian state of Victoria announced in July that it was to withdraw as host due to the cost of the event breaching estimates by around five billion Australian dollars (£2.6billion).
Then state premier Daniel Andrews told media in Melbourne at the time he was not prepared to spend up to seven billion dollars (£3.6billion) on a ’12-day sporting event’.
The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport competition that happens once every four years – only ever cancelled during World War Two
Eilish McColgan of Scotland celebrates victory in the Women’s 10,000m final at the Commonwealth Games 2022
Competitors must be from one of more than 70 nations or territories, many of which were part of the British Empire
Eilish McColgan of Team Scotland celebrates winning the silver medal in the Women’s 5000m Final on day ten of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has struggled to find a host for some time
England’s Jordan Houlden, Daniel Goodfellow and Jack Laugher on the podium during the medal ceremony for Men’s 3m Springboard Final at Sandwell Aquatics Centre on day nine of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham
The state ultimately agreed to pay £190million to the Commonwealth Games Federation, Commonwealth Games Federation Partnerships and Commonwealth Games Australia for its decision.
Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) wished to hold the Games in Australia, but chief executive Craig Phillips said he understood Mr Tate’s decision.
People reacted to the Commonwealth Games being cancelled in Australia, with one writing: ‘Good call, with sport being mostly professional these days and so many events around the world the Games just doesn’t have the appeal or recognition it once did.’
Another said: ‘Gold Coast scraps bid to host 2026 Commonwealth Games. What a waste of time and money that was.’
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