The VERY bizarre reason Melbourne is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2026 - after organisers became DESPERATE

  • Melbourne set to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Durban pulls out 
  • The South African city withdrew fast-tracking Birmingham games to 2022 slot
  • Victoria is conducting a feasibility study with a focus on its regional centres
  • Melbourne hosted the games in 2006, drawing a visit from Queen Elizabeth

By Miriah Davis For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

Melbourne is a chance to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games - just 20 years since it did previously - after desperate organisers were forced into an unexpected shuffle of host cities.

The Commonwealth Games Federation reportedly approached Melbourne officials earlier this about the possibility of the city filling in as an emergency host with just four years' notice.

'It's not a goer, but it's being looked at,' a source close to the deliberations told the Herald Sun.

'It's not at a point yet where a bid has been approved, but it's being worked through.'

Melbourne is set to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the South African city of Durban drops out (pictured, fireworks close the 2006 Commonwealth Games hosted at Melbourne Cricket Ground)

Melbourne is set to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the South African city of Durban drops out (pictured, fireworks close the 2006 Commonwealth Games hosted at Melbourne Cricket Ground)

England's 'second city' of Birmingham had been due to host in 2026 but was brought forward to this year because original 2022 host Durban in South Africa withdrew due to a number of missed deadlines and financial problems. 

Melbourne is one of the few cities that could fill in at short notice, as most of the sporting facilities and surrounding infrastructure were already in place.

The city had already been considering bidding for the 2030 event, and the chair of Melbourne's 2030 taskforce, Adem Karafili, supported the move to bring that forward to 2026.

'We knew from day one this concept would make sense and Covid has made it even more achievable,' he told the publication.

'It's designed to ensure that existing infrastructure is upgraded and revamped rather than building wholescale new facilities.'

Victoria Tourism Industry Council chief Felicia Mariani was enthusiastic about what hosting in 2026 could bring.

'It would be just the shot in the arm the industry needs,' Ms Mariani said. 'When big events like this come along we come together like no one else to make it happen.'

Mr Karafili said the 2030 bid team had been looking at spreading Commonwealth Games events across Victoria to make it a state-wide event and not just centred on Melbourne.

'It would also be a legacy piece for regional cities to be able to bid for national and international championships,' he said.

Pictured: The Opening Ceremony fireworks for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne

Pictured: The Opening Ceremony fireworks for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne 

Shepparton, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo are among the regional centres that could host events.

Western Australia recently pulled its bid for the 2026 games while rumours of an Adelaide bid were quickly refuted by the state government. 

Sydney showed some interest to host the games at Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush, however it is currently focusing on major international sports events.

Queensland is also ruled out as it is focusing on preparing to host the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane.

Melbourne saw great success when it hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2006.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip opened the ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to an estimated television audience of 1.5 billion viewers.   

The 11-day event boosted the state's economy by $1.6 billion over a 20-year period and created around 13,600 jobs for Victorians.

Melbourne

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