2026 Commonwealth Games Confirmed in Regional Victoria

People enjoy outdoor dining along Sturt Street in Ballarat, Australia, on Sep. 10, 2021. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

The Victorian Labor Government has confirmed that the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in regional Victoria in March 2026.

“It’s a great honour to have Victoria chosen as the host venue for the 2026 Commonwealth Games–we can’t wait to welcome the world to all of our state,” the state premier, Daniel Andrews said. “The Commonwealth Games in regional Victoria is great for jobs, hospitality and our economy.”

The Games are scheduled to be held in March 2026, across multiple regions in regional Victoria.

Apart from the opening ceremony, which will be held in the Melbourne Cricket Ground, all other events will be held in the regions of Victoria.

The state estimated that the event will contribute “more than $3 billion (US$ 2.24 billion) to Victoria’s economy, creating more than 600 full-time equivalent jobs before the Games, 3,900 jobs during the Games and a further 3,000 jobs beyond the Closing Ceremony.”

Andrews did not confirm the budget for the Games but expressed that the initial funding will be costing less than the expected revenue of $3 billion, and will be a “profound investment.”

Currently, 16 sporting events are confirmed to be held across four regional hubs established in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland, with each of the hubs having their own athletes’ village and sporting programs.

The state promised significant investments in infrastructure, particularly housing and upgrades to sports facilities will be made. Additionally, the Victorian Government promised a strong legacy of affordable housing, sporting infrastructure following the Games.

Further, to improve regional economy, the government said that there are non-competition events planned for other regional villages such as Shepperton, with the Games featuring programs to engage in culture and businesses in regional Victoria.

“Hosting the Commonwealth Games in four years’ time will deliver major benefits, particularly the regions, and leave a lasting legacy for the growth and development of sport throughout Victoria,” Minister for Tourism, Martin Pakula said.

Queensland previously hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, initially estimating a boost of $2.5 billion (US$ 1.9 billion) to the economy, with reports of hundreds of millions in profit eclipsing years later.

However, the Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) received backlash from local residents for a mass of bright lights and yellow poles that sit on the highway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, which has been labelled a monstrosity.

In Feb. 16, following return of public attention to Victorian Labor’s Red Shirts scandal in 2014, the state announced an exclusive agreement with the Commonwealth Games as part of a negotiation agreement for the 2026 Games.

The news of regional Victoria hosting the Games come timely as Labor Leader Anthony Albanese faced scrutiny for failing to recall unemployment and interest rate on first day of his election campaigning on April 11.