Shock as 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria dumped
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the shock decision to dump hosting commitments for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
A significant cost blow-out is behind the move to abandon the international event, which was to be hosted across a number of regional areas as a way of delivering economic and tourism benefits.
The initial budget to host the Games was $2.6 billion, but Andrews revealed that cost has almost tripled since the hosting announcement was made.
“This is not a difficult decision in many respects,” he said at a press conference today. “We are not going to spend $6 billion to $7 billion on a 12-day sporting event.”
The news throws into chaos planned sponsorship and advertising arrangements for the major event.
Organisers were in discussions with brands about partnership opportunities as well as activations. An official call-out invited “dynamic and dedicated brands” to come on board to “build a lasting legacy”.
“Brands will be uniquely placed to invest alongside Government and other stakeholders to deliver meaningful engagement within host communities and leverage national interest as Australia celebrates its heroes,” the pitch read.
“With national and international reach across television, radio, print, social media and digital, brands can benefit from a role supporting the delivery of the Games.”
A search was also well underway for creative partners to produce the opening and closing ceremonies at the MCG.
Victoria won the rights to host the event last year and the Andrews Government planned major hubs in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton and the Gippsland regions, with athlete’s villages in each location.
An opening ceremony was to be held at the MCG.
The Games was to see athletes and officials from 72 nations and territories descend on Victoria to compete in 20 sports and nine para events.
“It’s a showcase of all that we do so well. It’s about jobs. It’s about setting our state up for the future,” Andrews said last year. “We know that when regional Victoria is doing well, Victoria is doing well.”
Government representatives met with Games authorities last night and will continue discussions today. Local organisers were delivered the news this morning.
Opposition leader John Pesutto has described the back-out as a “massive humiliation for Victoria”.
No shock. this was rumored for months. Victorian government had no intention to host the Games. Election grab at the time. This is what happens, and most Victorians don’t care or realize the mastery at play.
Mumbrella should look into how the Government uses media and how Daniel Andrews has a team of 400 in his digital department to create spin.
Mumbrella has the opportunity to examine the real reason why the Government cancelled newspaper advertising
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Common sense at last.
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“Mumbrella has the opportunity to examine the real reason why the Government cancelled newspaper advertising”
Victorians dont care about newspaper advertising!
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No one cares that much
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There goes the primary school teacher’s plans for the 2026 curriculum. Medal tally statistics, essays on Games’ heroes, flags of the world in art, all down the drain. Well, guess it will be dinosaurs or the gold rush again.
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Clear election grab from the start. Proper disgraceful tbh
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Disgraceful.
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We’re all greedy greedy little pigs
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The people losing their jobs might.
– Shannon Molloy, editor
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