Scotland agrees to host Commonwealth Video games in 2026

Glasgow is to host the 2026 Commonwealth Video games after a deal was backed by the Scottish authorities.

A scaled-down model of the occasion, that includes fewer sports activities and athletes, will return to the town 12 years after it final hosted the Video games.

The Australian state of Victoria was initially chosen to stage the multi-sport occasion however withdrew as host attributable to rising prices.

Australian authorities have promised “a multi-million pound funding” to assist finalise the deal.

Well being and Sport Minister Neil Grey held talks with Commonwealth Video games Australia on Monday to debate funding, and obtained the assurances the Scottish authorities have been in search of.

It has now written to the Commonwealth Video games Federation (CGF) to formally again a “a scaled again, however high-quality” occasion which is able to see see 10 sports activities happen throughout 4 venues within the metropolis.

The obligatory sports activities of Athletics and Swimming can be held at Scotstoun Stadium and Tollcross Worldwide Swimming Centre however the further venues, in addition to the dates for the occasion, haven’t but been confirmed.

Grey stated the truth that the town was requested to step in and host the video games was a “testomony to Glasgow and Scotland’s improbable status for internet hosting worldwide occasions”.

He stated: “In 2026 all eyes will as soon as once more be on Glasgow, and I’ve each confidence that Scotland’s largest metropolis will present a becoming platform for among the world’s prime athletes.”

The minister added that CGS could be chargeable for the finances and supply of the occasion.

He advised BBC Scotland Information: “If there’s a state of affairs the place we transcend a really substantial contingency, CGS might want to take a look at the best way then Video games are being delivered somewhat than calling on both the UK or Scottish authorities for useful resource.”

He added that he hoped a extra “sustainable providing” would permit for a extra “various combine of nations to host the video games sooner or later”.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray stated this was a “optimistic consequence” for each Glasgow and the Commonwealth Video games.

He stated: “There are nonetheless a couple of hoops to leap by however I am very a lot trying ahead to an unbelievable celebration of sport and seeing Scottish athletes in motion in entrance of a house crowd.”

CGF president Chris Jenkins stated it could work carefully with Commonwealth Video games Scotland to formally announce Glasgow because the host metropolis as quickly a doable.

He stated: “We consider Glasgow 2026 can be an essential first step in our dedication to reset and reframe the Commonwealth Video games as a co-created, sustainable mannequin that minimises prices, evokes athletes, and excites hosts and Worldwide federations.”

He confirmed that Commonwealth Video games Australia had contributed £2.3m to “improve the occasion”.

Ian Reid, chairman of Commonwealth Video games Scotland (CGS), stated he was “delighted” on the affirmation.

He stated: “We’ve got been clear from the outset that our Video games idea for Glasgow 2026 aligns with the CGF’s technique to make the Video games extra accessible for future hosts, while making certain that public funds usually are not required.

Mr Reid added: “Glasgow is likely one of the few cities within the Commonwealth that may ship on time given its world-class amenities, skilled workforce and robust provide chain.

“This can be a actually thrilling alternative and we can be working arduous over the approaching days to convey the ultimate items of the puzzle collectively.”

A remaining resolution was taken at a cupboard assembly on Tuesday morning.

Organisers have said the Video games will come for gratis to the general public purse, with funding coming from compensation paid to the CGF after the Australians pulled out.

The UK authorities will present monetary assist within the occasion of any elevated safety menace however had refused to utterly underwrite the Video games.

Grey beforehand insisted that there was “a status danger in addition to monetary danger” for Scotland in taking over internet hosting duties once more, and that no public funds might be used.

The whole finances for the Video games is predicted to be about £114m.

Scottish Labour chief, Anas Sarwar stated: “Glasgow is a good metropolis, however it’s in want of financial funding and renewal.

“By internet hosting the video games, we will showcase Glasgow and Scotland on the worldwide stage and convey funding and tourism right here.

“That is our likelihood to finish the legacy of the 2014 video games, present international management and ship the change that Glasgow wants.”

Sandesh Gulhane, Scottish Conservatives’ well being spokesman, welcomed the “improbable information” that’s set to be delivered at “no price to hard-pressed taxpayers”.

“It will put Glasgow on the map all over the world and is a perfect likelihood to advertise all the pieces that’s nice about it,” he stated. “Nonetheless, I hope by then that the state of our metropolis is way improved in comparison with the way it appears now.”

Glasgow final hosted the Video games in 2014 at a value of £543m, with 17 sports activities going down in an occasion praised by organisers as the very best ever.

The 2026 model can be a extra modest affair, however it it’s not but clear which sports activities can be minimize.

There can be no athlete’s village and any opening and shutting ceremonies are anticipated to be scaled again.

Former Workforce Scotland athlete and swimmer, Hannah Miley advised BBC Scotland Information the Commonwealth Video games was a “particular occasion” for athletes.

She stated: “There have been so many nice reminiscences from 2014 so to have it once more in 2026, I feel can be a terrific alternative.

“Having the ability to compete in entrance of a house nation is one thing not many athletes get to do. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime alternative.”

The retired swimmer added that whereas it was superb that Glasgow could be internet hosting the Video games once more, she had “combined feelings” that some sports activities wouldn’t be included.

In 2021, the CGF agreed that athletics and swimming could be made obligatory sports activities, whereas occasions similar to Archery and Boxing could be made core sports activities.

It’s not but clear which sports activities can be excluded from the 2026 Video games.

The Commonwealth Video games Federation (CGF) has struggled to search out hosts for the occasion lately.

Durban was purported to be the primary metropolis in Africa to stage the Video games in 2022, however have been stripped of internet hosting rights in 2017 after operating into cash troubles.

Birmingham and the British authorities intervened to save lots of the occasion, stumping up a mixed $1bn for what grew to become the very best attended Video games on file.

Victoria then dropped out in July 2023 after the projected price for the occasion grew to become “effectively and actually an excessive amount of” for the state to bear, whereas different doable hosts similar to Malaysia and Singapore declined to step in.

The 12-day competitors was anticipated to price greater than A$6 bn (£3.13bn; $4.09bn).

Glasgow Metropolis Council chief Susan Aitken stated she believed Glasgow may assist to make the brand new Commonwealth Video games mannequin a “success”.

Addressing issues concerning the situation of Glasgow’s metropolis centre, she advised BBC Radio Scotland’s Drivetime programme: “This narrative was in play earlier than the 2014 commonwealth video games as effectively and each single time we now have delivered a extremely profitable occasion which has had the organisers and the spectators going away delighted and certainly coming again for extra.”

Aitken stated that important funding into the town centre, together with initiatives at George Sq. wouldn’t be postponed due to the occasion.

She added that the CGF would come with some funding into Glasgow’s sporting amenities and the council would negotiate for “a little bit of an additional enhance” to assist assist cleaning companies for the town.

Leon Thompson, govt director of UK Hospitality Scotland, stated: “The Video games will ship an financial enhance to Glasgow, in addition to creating alternatives to advertise the town’s points of interest over the subsequent few years because it prepares to welcome guests from the world over.”

He added that hospitality companies would profit from elevated footfall however known as on Glasgow Metropolis Council to make sure “financial and reputational advantages” have been maximised.