Glasgow Poised to Host Scaled-Down 2026 Commonwealth Games

LONDON: Glasgow is expected to be confirmed as the host city for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, following the withdrawal of the Australian state of Victoria, according to reports. The decision comes after Victoria pulled out in July 2023 due to soaring costs, leading to a scaled-down version of the multi-sport event.

Originally planned for multiple cities in Victoria, the games faced cancellation when the state government announced its exit, citing a sharp increase in projected expenditure. As a result, Victoria had to pay AUD 380 million (around USD 256 million) in compensation to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

The shift to Glasgow is seen as an effort to revive the games, which have struggled with dwindling relevance in recent years.