Revealed: Why Aussie taxpayers – and some of the nation’s best athletes – will be FURIOUS as a new city hosts the Commonwealth Games after Dan Andrews’ shocking backflip

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, following Dan Andrews’ embarrassing somersault last year. However, there will only be ten sports on the programme, in a huge setback for some of Australia’s top sporting stars.

It is a significant drop from the 19 sports that were held at the Birmingham Olympics two years ago, and is sure to anger competitors preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

And while Scotland steps in to ensure the Commonwealth Games go ahead, millions of Australian taxpayers will foot the bill to compensate for Victoria’s withdrawal.

The multi-sport event has been in jeopardy since the Victorian government pulled out as host in July last year, saying the cost had risen to $6 billion.

Victoria pays $380 million of taxpayers’ money to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), of which $200 million goes to Scotland to cover hosting costs.

That amount will be supplemented by $4.5 million from Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) for security. Neither the British nor Scottish governments are prepared to use public money.

“This is a fantastic outcome for the Commonwealth sporting movement,” said CGA Chairman Ben Houston.

‘The Commonwealth Games are at the heart of Australian sporting achievement and often provide a springboard for continued success for Australian athletes.

Dan Andrews’ somersault last year earned taxpayers $380 million in compensation

‘They are irreplaceable in providing global competition and in the absence of an Australian host it was in the best interests of Australian sport that we were able to host the Games overseas.

‘We [also] ‘Please be aware that a reduced sporting programme will impact some member sports and their athletes…we pledge to them that they remain a valued member of the Commonwealth family.’

It is not yet clear which sports will be cancelled, but athletics and swimming will undoubtedly continue.

The smaller-scale edition of the 2026 Games will take place at four existing venues in Glasgow, with budget-friendly opening and closing ceremonies and no athletes’ village.

When the city last hosted the event in 2014, it featured 17 sports and cost about $1 billion. In 2022, Birmingham’s budget was nearly double that.

In response to a written question in the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Health and Sport Secretary Neil Gray said: “The Scottish Government has carried out a thorough assessment of the proposal from Commonwealth Games Scotland for Glasgow to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

‘This assessment has been carried out in partnership with Commonwealth Games Scotland, the Commonwealth Games Federation, Glasgow City Council, the UK Government and, most recently, Commonwealth Games Australia.

‘The collaboration has been extremely positive and productive and has resulted in the creation of a strong event proposal that will contribute to a new future for the Commonwealth Games and deliver economic and sporting opportunities for Scotland.

‘On that basis, I have today written to Commonwealth Games Scotland to let them know that the Scottish Government will be supporting the proposal.’

CGF Chairman Chris Jenkins said it will work closely with Commonwealth Games Scotland to formally announce Glasgow as host city as soon as possible.

“We believe Glasgow 2026 will be an important first step in our commitment to reimagine and redefine the Commonwealth Games as a co-created, sustainable model that minimises costs, inspires athletes and excites hosts and international federations,” Jenkins said.

He confirmed that CGA had contributed $4.5 million to “enhance the event.”

It is the second time in a row that a British city has saved the Commonwealth Games. In 2022, Birmingham will host the event after the South African city of Durban was forced to pull out due to financial problems and missed deadlines.