Sarah Oliver & Oliver Lees
The state government has confirmed that its bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games will focus on bringing the games to Victoria’s regional areas.
The state government signed a Heads of Agreement on February 16 with the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Australia to enter exclusive negotiations to bring the games to the state.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula confirmed that, if awarded, the 2026 Commonwealth Games would return to Victoria. However, this competition would be hosted across the state, unlike the event in Melbourne in 2006.
The submission will have a large focus on holding events in the regions.
“Victoria is Australia’s sporting state, and, if awarded, the 2026 Commonwealth Games would demonstrate to the world a new way to deliver the competition,” Mr Andrews said.
“We would hope to have the majority of events in our regional cities – to display the best of Victoria, create jobs and housing and infrastructure that will deliver for the long term.”
Macedon Ranges council chief executive Bernie O’Sullivan told Star Weekly that he would like to see the shire included in the state government’s plans for the games.
“We would encourage the state government to consider rural and regional Victoria, in particular, Central Victoria, as a group of locations and shires that could work together, play to their strengths and host significant elements of the 2026 Commonwealth Games,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“That said, significant government investment would be required in regional Victoria to make this a reality and successful.”
