The Victorian government’s decision to withdraw from hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games has drawn criticism from both the international Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Australia. Premier Daniel Andrews announced the decision this morning, claiming that the cost of hosting had increased by billions since the government last year submitted its bid to host the games as a “predominantly regional” event.
The organisations claim that the government’s projected expenses are “a gross exaggeration,” that the unexpected decision was made without their input, and that they received just a few hours’ warning.
This morning, Andrews said that since his government stepped in to host the Games in April of last year, conditions have changed.
“Last year, when the Commonwealth Games Authorities approached us, needed someone to step in to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, we as a state were happy to help out,” said Andrews.
“However, of course, not at any cost, and only if there was a long-term advantage.
“It is now obvious that the $2.6 billion planned cost for holding these Games in 2026 is not accurate. In actuality, it is at least $6 billion and might even be $7 billion.
“Six to seven billion dollars is clearly excessive for a 12-day sporting event.
I won’t use funds from hospitals and schools to pay for an event that will cost three times as much as was anticipated and budgeted for the previous year.
Andrews continued that he lacks “confidence” that the Games would be adequately funded with even $7 billion.
He remarked, “I believe it might be more than that.
However, the $6 billion figure was “50% higher than those advised to the Organising Committee board at its meeting in June,” according to the Commonwealth Games Federation.
The federation further claimed in a statement that the government had hiked plan costs against its advice.
Since Victoria was chosen to host the Games, the government has changed plans for venues, added more sports, added a second regional hub, and made other decisions that have resulted in significant cost increases, frequently defying the advice of the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Australia.
The federation claims it was only informed of the decision eight hours earlier and had previously been told the government had the resources to host the games.
The CEO of Commonwealth Games Australia, Craig Phillips, claimed that his organisation had not been informed of the “gross exaggeration” of expenses made public by the government today and that he only found out about the decision at 8am.
Beyond this, the Victorian Government intentionally disregarded advice to shift events to purpose-built stadiums in Melbourne and instead persisted in using pricey temporary facilities in rural Victoria, he told the media.
In addition to disappointing “athletes, the excited host communities, First Nations Australians who were at the heart of the Games, and the millions of fans that would have embraced a sixth home Games in Australia,” Phillips claimed that the government “had jeopardised Melbourne and Victoria’s standing as a sporting capital of the world.”
The prime minister previously stated that talks with the authorities have been cordial and are still going on.
“We had conversations last night, and those conversations are not over; they have been cordial, they have been especially fruitful, and they will continue,” he said.
“It is fair to say that a multi-city Commonwealth Games had never been delivered before, and estimates were made, but those estimates are clearly well and truly below the actual cost.”
According to Andrews, a regional package will be funded with the $2 billion put up for the Commonwealth Games.
There are several advantages to that. The construction of each and every one of the enduring sporting facilities planned as a legacy of the Games would come first, he said.
“The regional tourist fund is extremely sizable. Community-based sport will receive a big package of support, but probably most significantly, social and affordable housing across regional Victoria will receive a $1 billion increase.
Andrews had earlier said Victoria will host the event in April of last year, claiming his administration was delivering a real “point of difference” for the event, which would be a “predominantly regional Victoria event”.
According to “our vision for these games,” they “will be like no other and they will be great for regional Victoria,” he stated.
“We want to have as much of this as we can in regional Victoria.”
Peter Walsh, the leader of the Nationals, and John Pesutto, the leader of the Victorian opposition, both rejected the choice.
Pesutto called the action “hugely damaging” and described it as “a betrayal of regional Victoria”.
He said that Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan had degraded Victorians.
“Victoria has been a steadfast supporter of significant events and international events in our state.
Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan have done immeasurable damage to our reputation by abruptly cancelling today’s event with essentially no consultation with anyone.
“People will be more cautious about holding events in Victorian homes.”
The host cities for the 2026 Commonwealth Games were Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland, and Shepparton. The games were scheduled to take place from March 17–29.
