The 2026 Commonwealth Games are in doubt after the Australian state of Victoria cancelled its plans to host due to budget blowouts.
The Commonwealth Games Federation struggled to find a host before Victoria volunteered in April 2022. But the premier said the projected cost had now tripled and become “well and truly too much” for the state to bear.
CGF called the decision “hugely disappointing” and said it is “committed to finding a solution.”
The Commonwealth Games are a multi-sport tournament that take place every four years. They have only ever been cancelled during World War Two.
Organisers had originally estimated the event – hosted across cities including Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat – would cost $2.6 billion Australian Dollars and the state government had billed it as a boost for the regions. But now the 12-day tournament was expected to cost more than Australian $6 billion.