In the face of rising estimated costs, the Victorian Government has made the decision not to proceed with hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2026.

The Government has advised the CGF and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) that the State will be terminating the Host Agreement.

The project team – led by Organising Committee Chair Peggy O’Neal, Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games CEO Jeroen Weimar and Office of the Commonwealth Games CEO Allen Garner – have worked tirelessly on a detailed business and cost plan to stage these Games across regional Victoria.

The main reason it was agreed to host the Games was to deliver lasting benefits in housing, tourism and sporting infrastructure for regional Victoria.

In the announcement the Government has said it will deliver a $2 billion package to ensure regional Victoria still receives all the benefits that would have been facilitated by the Games.

Every one of the permanent new and upgraded sporting infrastructure projects planned as part of the Games will still proceed – and all will be completed as planned.

This includes a new Aquatic Centre at Armstrong Creek, a 6-court indoor stadium at Waurn Ponds, upgrading Eureka Stadium in Ballarat to seat 10,000 spectators, a new community sporting facility at Miners Rest, upgrades to Bendigo Stadium, BMX trails in Shepparton, Gippsland Sports and Entertainment Park, Ted Summerton Reserve in Moe and more.

A new $60 million Regional Community Sport Development Fund will deliver new projects – including aquatic centres, indoor stadiums, lighting upgrades and walking and cycling paths – for regional communities across Victoria.

There will also be $40 million for an All Abilities Sport Fund to remove the barriers of entry for people with a disability to get involved in sports through grants, scholarships and mentoring.

Further detail of the $2 billion regional package will be revealed after consultation with sporting codes, councils, tourism bodies and the community.

PERMANENT SPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS FOR 2026

BALLARAT

• Eureka Stadium

A new athletics track, stadium expansion by 5,000 permanent seats, with improved accessibility access.

• Miners Rest

Construct all-new facility, including competition-grade oval and sports pavilion with carparking, amenities and changerooms.

• Ballarat Sports and Events Centre

Updates to the show court and accessibility works.

• Ballarat train station

Passenger lifts on both platforms and a connecting pedestrian overpass.

• Creswick Mountain biking

Delivering 60 kilometres of world-class mountain bike trails.

BENDIGO

• Bendigo Bowls Club

Redevelop five existing bowls and croquet greens, and refurbishment of the existing pavilion.

• Bendigo Showgrounds

Additional exhibition shed.

• Bendigo Stadium

Four additional sports courts.

SHEPPARTON

• BMX facilities

Upgrade facilities to attract more state, national and international competition.

GIPPSLAND

• Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium, Traralgon

Refurbishment of court facilities and other amenity upgrades.

• Gippsland Sports and Entertainment Park

Redevelop two pitches and redevelop two pavilions.

• Morwell Gun Club

New shotgun trap shooting range, all equipment required for Air Rifle and Air Pistol, and new security fencing.

• Ted Summerton Reserve in Moe

Refurbish oval and wicket, redevelop and expand terraces, and accessibility upgrades.

GEELONG

• Stead Park, Corio

Upgrade of hockey pavilion, a new pitch and additional permanent seating.

• New Armstrong Creek Aquatics Centre

A civic plaza, an enclosed swimming pool, 4 indoor recreational sports courts and associated car parking.

• New Indoor Sporting Complex at Waurn Ponds

Multipurpose sports centre with 6 courts, with regional level gymnastics and dance studio, associated car parking.

• Banyul-Warri Fields, Torquay

A new training pitch and new seating.