2026 Commonwealth Games at renewed risk of cancellation as Malaysia reject £100m offer to take over as hosts

The 2026 Commonwealth Games are again at risk of cancellation after Malaysia rejected a £100m bid to take over the hosting duties.

The quadrennial event was thrown into chaos last summer when the Australian state of Victoria pulled out due to rising costs.

Last week it emerged that the Commonwealth Games Federation had offered Malaysia the chance to host the Games and would make £100 million available for ‘financial and strategic support’.

But even that nine-figure sum was not enough to convince the Malaysian government, which said the offer “would not cover the total costs of organizing a large-scale sporting event.”

Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh added: “The government wants to focus on the development of sports and the welfare and well-being of the people.”

It leaves the CGF back at square one in their desperate search for a new host for the Games in just two years’ time.

Singapore is ‘assessing the feasibility’ of hosting the event for the first time, but Britain has already ruled out holding it again so soon after Birmingham 2022.

If a new host cannot be found, the Games will have to be canceled for the first time since World War II.

A CGF spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that Malaysia has decided not to submit a proposal for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and thank them for their work to date and their commitment to the Commonwealth Sport Movement.

The Australian state of Victoria withdrew as host last year due to rising costs

‘The confidential process to determine a host continues with other interested Commonwealth Games Associations.’

The CGF must also find a host for the 2030 Games after Alberta, Canada withdrew their bid.