Commonwealth Games Get Cancelled

Why has Victoria pulled out and what happens now?

Uncertainty over future hosts

On Monday a curtain of silence fell on the Victorian government. On Tuesday it dropped a bombshell and cancelled. Birmingham staged the 2022 Commonwealth Games - but future hosts are uncertain.

Victoria's withdrawal

The 2026 Commonwealth Games are in doubt after the Australian state of Victoria cancelled its plans to host due to financial concerns. The decision was made after the state government said it could not afford the $2.6 billion cost of hosting the event.

Victoria told the federal government that it did not need any assistance to stage the Games. However, the federal government had offered to contribute $1 billion towards the cost of the event.

Reaction to Victoria's withdrawal

Regional sporting clubs and communities are gutted by the Victorian government's decision to cancel the Games. They say the event would have been a major boost for the region's economy.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is now looking for a new host for the 2026 Games. The CGF has said it is confident that it will find a new host within the next few months.