Gold Coast, Australia Withdraws Bid to Host 2026 Commonwealth Games
Gold Coast, Australia’s famous beachside city, will no longer host the 2026-27 Commonwealth Games due to a lack of financial support from state and federal governments.
Victoria was expected to be the host, but it also pulled out of the decision due to cost blowout.
Gold Coast hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games and proposed a dual hosting with Perth for 2026, promising to stick to the $700 million budget. However, due to lack of support, it has withdrawn its bid.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate expressed disappointment, stating that the city’s vision for the Games does not align with that of the state or federal governments. He also emphasized that the bid would not have been a burden to taxpayers.
Commonwealth Games Australia executive Craig Phillips mentioned the possibility of the next event being moved outside of Australia due to the withdrawal of hosting bids.
Gold Coast’s decision to scrap the hosting bid has left the event in limbo, with Canada’s Alberta province also pulling out its support for the 2030 Games.
Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games Federation boss Katie Sadleir warned that the Games could be pushed back to 2027.
Australia has hosted the Games five times, more than any other country.
