Australia and the state of Victoria are set to benefit from hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games to the tune of an estimated $3 million AUD.
The next Commonwealth Games will be staged in Melbourne, the state capital, and also head to Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Gippsland and Shepparton in wider Victoria from 17-29 March, 2026. It is the first time the games have been hosted in separate hubs.
The impact of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games is estimated to be set to contribute around $3 million to Victoria’s economy in a real boost to an area which was severely impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns throughout 2020 and 2021.
Organisers are estimating that staging the games will creating around 600 full-time equivalent jobs in the build-up to, a further 3,900 during the Commonwealth Games and more than 3,000 afterwards too as part of the legacy.
The Victorian government state: “Victoria 2026 will showcase what makes the people of our state tick – our unity, our embrace of community, our can-do attitude, friendliness and good humour. It'll also promote everything regional Victoria has to offer to the world – the best food and wine, outstanding arts and culture, and breathtaking landscapes.
“The Games will also leave a lasting legacy for Victorians that extends beyond the competition period, including investment in the community and affordable housing and world-class sporting facilities to inspire the next generation of Victorian athletes.”
The 20 sports have been unveiled that will make up the programme of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with three new additions for the XXIII games.
Bets.com.au quoted they are expecting a significant increase in interest in the events following the news that coastal rowing, golf and BMX racing have been added to the Commonwealth Games roster.
They join athletics, badminton, 3x3 basketball, boxing, beach volleyball, women’s T20 cricket, cycling - BMX, mountain bike, road and track, diving, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls, netball, rugby 7s, shooting, squash, swimming, table tennis, triathlon and weightlifting.
The integrated para games will feature para swimming, para athletics, 3x3 wheelchair basketball, para track cycling, para lawn bowls, para shooting, para table tennis, para triathlon and para powerlifting.
A total of $2.6 billion AUD will be spent on the games, including in the regional hubs where stadium upgrades and infrastructure improvements are planned.
Melbourne is where it will all begin with the Opening Ceremony inside the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Ballarat will host the athletics at Eureka Stadium, boxing at the Ballarat Sports Events Centre and T20 cricket.
At Bendigo, the 3x3 Basketball, T20 cricket matches, track cycling, lawn bowls, netball, para powerlifting and squash will be staged.
Geelong will be home to the swimming and diving events at Kardinia Aquatic Centre, T20 cricket matches, beach volleyball, triathlon, gymnastics, hockey, table tennis, weightlifting and the coastal rowing.
T20 cricket will also be staged in the Gippsland hub, where badminton, rugby 7s, road cycling and shooting will also be hosted. Road cycling and BMW, meanwhile, are to take place in Shepparton.
