Australia’s Victoria state to host 2026 Commonwealth Games

The Australian state of Victoria will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the federal government confirmed on Tuesday.

Victoria confirmed as 2026 Commonwealth Games host (Reuters Photo)

HIGHLIGHTSAustralia’s Victoria state will host the 2026 Commonwealth GamesNo different nations expressed curiosity in taking 2026 slotThe New Zealand Olympic Committee congratulated Victoria

Australia’s Victoria state will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games with a heavy concentrate on boosting the regional financial system.

Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital, was granted an unique negotiating interval to safe internet hosting rights for the Games in February.

“It’s a great honour to have Victoria chosen as the host venue for the 2026 Commonwealth Games — we can’t wait to welcome the world to all of our state,” Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews stated in a press release.

The quadrennial Games, a multi-sport gathering for principally former British colonies, has struggled to stay related, with 4 of the final 5 editions held in Australia or Britain.

Outside Australia, no different nations or cities expressed curiosity in taking the vacant 2026 slot.

The Games will likely be unfold throughout 4 regional hubs within the state, within the cities of Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland, creating a brand new multi-city mannequin for the occasion, the Victoria authorities stated.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee congratulated Victoria.

“Bringing the 2026 Commonwealth Games to Victoria is fantastic news for New Zealand,” the NZOC stated in a press release.

Australia most not too long ago hosted the Games on the Gold Coast in 2018, with Melbourne internet hosting the 2006 version.

The English metropolis of Birmingham will host the 2022 version from July 28-Aug. 8, after changing South Africa who had been stripped of them in 2017 over a scarcity of progress of their preparations.