The state of Victoria in Australia will host the Commonwealth Games in 2026.
The Melbourne-based district was given the opportunity to negotiate a settlement in February, and the local government announced on Tuesday that it would take on the role of host. They added that a new format is being tested, and within four years, events will take place in four parts of the state, Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland.
First held in 1930, the four-year multi-sport event – the second largest in this category after the Olympics – has recently lost its importance and is posing a serious challenge to hosting competitions. Four times out of five matches, Britain or Australia has hosted the fight, this year in Birmingham, in 2026 Victoria will be the venue. There was no interest in the recent matches outside of Australia.
The number of athletes participating in the Commonwealth Games is around 5,000. The British Commonwealth currently has 53 members, but 71 teams are eligible to participate in the Games, with four UK members – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – being able to nominate separate teams.
(MTI)
