Victoria cancels event after costs blow out to $7bn
"Huge disappointment" as premier pulls plug on 2026 Commonwealth Games bid
Organisers and regional centres blast decision as "devastating blow"
The Victorian government has cancelled its plans to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, citing a blowout in costs that would have seen taxpayers foot a bill of at least $7 billion.
The decision was announced by Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday, who said the initial cost of $2.6 billion had blown out to at least $6 billion, and could have reached as high as $9 billion.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) said in a statement that it was "hugely disappointed" by the decision, which it said came as a "surprise".
The CGF said it would now begin the process of exploring alternative host cities for the Games.
Organisers and regional centres have blasted the Victorian government's decision, saying it will have a devastating impact on the state and the Commonwealth Games movement.
The Victorian government is warned in September that the state would struggle to host a Commonwealth Games without a significant increase in funding.
The government's decision to pull out of the Games is a major blow to the Commonwealth Games movement, which has been struggling to attract host cities in recent years.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games were set to be the first to be held in Australia since 2006, when Melbourne hosted the event.
The cancellation of the Victorian bid leaves the 2026 Commonwealth Games in doubt, with no other cities having yet expressed an interest in hosting the event.
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