3 minute read
A breakdown of what has so far been revealed about the locations, sports and economics of the 2026 Commonwealth Games to be held in regional Victoria.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR ABOUT THE 2026 COMMONWEALTH GAMES IN REGIONAL VICTORIA:
* About 6800 athletes and officials
* Opening ceremony at Melbourne Cricket Ground
* Closing ceremony TBA
* 16 sports, more to be added
* Regional centres to host all sports events:
Geelong:
* Sports: Aquatics (swimming, para swimming and diving), beach volleyball, T20 cricket, gymnastics, hockey, table tennis and para table tennis, triathlon and para triathlon
* Infrastructure: Athletes village
Bendigo:
* Sports: T20 cricket, cycling, lawn bowls and para lawn bowls, netball, squash, weightlifting and para powerlifting
* Infrastructure: Athletes village
Ballarat:
* Sports: Athletics and para athletics, boxing, T20 cricket
* Infrastructure: Athletes village, Mars Stadium upgrade
Gippsland:
* Sports: Badminton, T20 cricket, cycling, rugby sevens
* Infrastructure: Athletes village
Shepparton:
* Sports: TBA
ECONOMICS:
* $3 billion estimated boost to Victoria's economy
* 7500 new jobs (600 before, 3900 during and 3000 after)
* More affordable regional housing, exact figures unknown
* Sports infrastructure upgrades, including to Mars Stadium
* Taxpayers cost to be announced
HISTORY:
* 23rd Commonwealth Games
* First awarded to state or region in entire 92-year history
* Second in Victoria after 2006 Melbourne Games
* Sixth in Australia
