Victoria will pioneer a regionally based Commonwealth Games in 2026, with Premier Daniel Andrews unveiling plans for the event in a press conference on Tuesday morning.
The Games will be staged primarily by four different hubs outside of Melbourne, although the Opening Ceremony will be held at the MCG.
In what will be a first-ever predominantly regional Commonwealth Games, Victoria 2026 will be staged in March that year primarily in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland.
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Premier Andrews said the Games would leave a legacy of affordable housing for the regions and state-of-the art sports infrastructure to attract future major events.
“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,” Andrews said.
“The Commonwealth Games in regional Victoria is great for jobs, hospitality and our economy.”
The announcement follows a successful exclusive dialogue period between the CGF, Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) and Victoria, where the proposal to stage the event across the state was agreed.
Victoria’s submission, developed in conjunction with CGA, centred on a regionally focused Commonwealth Games that will expand the capacity of regional cities in Victoria to deliver major events linking tourism, arts, culture and sport.
CGF president Dame Louise Martin said: “The Commonwealth Games Federation is absolutely delighted to award the 2026 Commonwealth Games to Victoria.
“Commonwealth Games Australia and the Victorian Government have set out a bold and innovative vision for hosting our major multi-sport event.
“In Victoria, we believe we have found the perfect partner for the next stage of our journey.
” … We now look forward to a bright future as we work together to stage a Commonwealth Games like no other.”
Australia has staged the Commonwealth Games on five occasions, with Victoria playing host to the Melbourne 2006 Games. Australia also staged the Games in Sydney in 1938, Perth in 1962, Brisbane in 1982 and most recently Gold Coast in 2018.
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