Commonwealth Games 2026 future in doubt after Victoria withdraws hosting duties

The future of the Commonwealth Games looks uncertain after Australian state Victoria withdrew from hosting the 2026 event today.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews made the announcement today, saying the forecast costs had gone well over the expected figure.

The state was revealed as the host only last year, shared among Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland. It comes after Durban withdrew from hosting the 2022 event in 2017, replaced by Birmingham.

“We have informed Commonwealth Games authorities of our decision to seek to terminate the contract and to not conduct, not host the Games,” Andrews told reporters today.

Andrews told media the forecast figure of AU$2.6 billion ($2.8b) was…