Victoria has won the bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games that will see the Games conducted in key regional centres across the state. The MCG will host the opening ceremony, with four regional hubs set up in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland, each with a dedicated athletes’ village and sport program.
Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) CEO, Felicia Mariani, said this was an incredible outcome for the state. “Today’s announcement that Victoria has secured the right to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games is an unbelievable outcome that reaffirms Victoria’s position as the events capital of Australia and fortifies our trajectory for recovery,” She said
“Over the past two years, Victoria has seen nearly $20 billion wiped from its visitor spend in the state. Victoria hosting a massive global event like the Commonwealth Games will ensure that businesses across our state’s visitor economy will have a solid path to recovery after losing so much territory.” said Ms Mariani.
Victoria Premier Dan Andrews, said “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 2026 Commonwealth Games will add an estimated $3 billion to the Victorian economy and create 600 full-time jobs before the event, plus 3900 jobs over the course of the games.
