The Victorian Labor Government has confirmed that the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in regional Victoria in March 2026.
The Games are scheduled to be held in March 2026, across multiple regions in regional Victoria.
Apart from the opening ceremony, which will be held in the Melbourne Cricket Ground, all other events will be held in the regions of Victoria.
The state estimated that the event will contribute “more than $3 billion (US$ 2.24 billion) to Victoria’s economy, creating more than 600 full-time equivalent jobs before the Games, 3,900 jobs during the Games and a further 3,000 jobs beyond the Closing Ceremony.”
Currently, 16 sporting events are confirmed to be held across four regional hubs established in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland, with each of the hubs having their own athletes’ village and sporting programs.
The state promised significant investments in infrastructure, particularly housing and upgrades to sports facilities will be made. Additionally, the Victorian Government promised a strong legacy of affordable housing, sporting infrastructure following the Games.
Further, to improve regional economy, the government said that there are non-competition events planned for other regional villages such as Shepperton, with the Games featuring programs to engage in culture and businesses in regional Victoria.
“Hosting the Commonwealth Games in four years’ time will deliver major benefits, particularly the regions, and leave a lasting legacy for the growth and development of sport throughout Victoria,” Minister for Tourism, Martin Pakula said.
In Feb. 16, following return of public attention to Victorian Labor’s Red Shirts scandal in 2014, the state announced an exclusive agreement with the Commonwealth Games as part of a negotiation agreement for the 2026 Games.