Why Australia is set to pay almost $5million to NOT host the 2026 Commonwealth Games

Australia will pay millions of dollars to allow Scotland to host the Commonwealth Games that Victoria has turned down.

Glasgow is the only option left open to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the Victorian government withdrew its bid to host the event last year, citing costs that exceeded estimates by around $5 billion.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate had made efforts to save the Games, but due to financial problems, the Queensland region also had to withdraw, putting the future of the Commonwealth Games in jeopardy.

“We did our best and people can’t expect more,” Tate said.

Now Commonwealth Games Australia is offering Scotland millions to save the 2026 Games, while no other country is prepared to take the financial risk.

The Victorian government had already been hit with a $380 million bill for not hosting the Games. The Commonwealth Games Federation would use $200 million of that money to ensure the Games went ahead in Glasgow.

Scotland had asked the UK to contribute around $4.5 million to cover possible security expenses, but the country refused and the Scottish government also does not want to contribute money.

That is why Commonwealth Games Australia decided to provide additional funding to ensure the event could go ahead.

Commonwealth Games Australia Chairman Ben Houston will hand over millions to Scotland to ensure the Games go ahead in Glasgow

CGA chairman Ben Houston confirmed that a “multi-million pound investment” would be made in the Glasgow Games.

“Commonwealth Games Australia is delighted with the enthusiasm for the Games from the Scottish and UK governments,” Houston said.

‘And we want to do everything we can to make Glasgow 2026 a reality.

‘We realise that the model is different and that this brings with it financial and reputational problems.

‘But we have every confidence in the model that Commonwealth Games Scotland is proposing.

‘As one of the beneficiaries of the agreement with the Victorian Government, we are investing millions of pounds in the Games today and we will continue to negotiate this with Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Scottish Government.

‘This is not the time to step away from a game that has inspired generations.

‘And we look forward to working together towards an outcome that benefits the Commonwealth countries, their athletes, coaches and fans.’

Glasgow’s bid to host the Games comes after both Victoria and the Gold Coast withdrew

The Commonwealth Games have been a popular stepping stone to the Olympics for Australians

Houston stressed the importance of the Games as Brisbane prepares to host the 2032 Olympic Games.

He said almost half of Australian athletes are making their debut representing their country at the Commonwealth Games.

Moreover, it turns out that more than half of the people who win a medal at these Games also achieve similar successes in later international competitions.

“The Commonwealth Games are at the heart of Australian sporting achievement and often provide a springboard to continued success,” Houston said.

‘They are irreplaceable in providing global competition and in the absence of an Australian host it is in the best interests of Australian sport that we deliver the Games overseas.’

But even if the Commonwealth Games go ahead in Glasgow (where the event was last held in 2014), the next edition will feature just 10 to 13 sports, about a third fewer than the 2022 Games in Birmingham.