LONDON – Commonwealth sport has hit the jackpot with seven nations across four continents jostling to host future editions of the Commonwealth Games, as the race for the prestigious centennial 2030 celebration heats up.
Canada, India and Nigeria had already publicly thrown their hats into the 2030 ring, with two mystery nations also now in the mix, the governing body said on April 16.
Meanwhile, two additional expressions of interest target future Games, including New Zealand, which has set its sights on 2034.
“We are thrilled with the incredible interest from around the Commonwealth,” said Commonwealth Sport chief executive Katie Sadleir.
“This positive response from four of our six regions underlines the importance and significance of the Commonwealth Games and its position as the major multi-sport event in the world sporting calendar, alongside the Olympic Games and Paralympics.”
The flurry of interest follows a challenging period for the event after Australia’s Victoria state withdrew as 2026 hosts, citing cost concerns. Scotland stepped in, with Glasgow taking the reins for the next edition.
However, it will be a pared-down version when the 2014 hosts stage the 2026 Games from July 23 to Aug 2. The Games will feature just 10 sports, compared with the 19 on show at the 2022 edition in the English city of Birmingham.
The schedule will feature athletics and para-athletics, swimming and para-swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling and para-track cycling, netball, weightlifting and para-powerlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and para-bowls, as well as 3×3 basketball and 3×3 wheelchair basketball.
Among the sports that have been cut are triathlon, diving, hockey, cricket, squash, badminton and rugby sevens.
But Sadleir added: “We cannot understate the hugely significant role Scotland has played in this change. Glasgow 2026 will be a bridge to the Games of tomorrow – an important first step… to reimagine and redefine the Games.”
Commonwealth Sport launched a new collaborative selection process in January, moving away from traditional bidding to allow potential hosts more flexibility and innovation.
“Considering the high level of interest, we will now discuss each submission further,” said Darren Hall, director of Games and Assurance.
The next five months will see candidates developing detailed proposals, with Commonwealth Sport aiming to recommend a 2030 host for approval at its general assembly in Glasgow in November 2025.
The new hosting framework promises reduced costs, flexible programming, and continued commitment to para-sports, with organisers hoping the reimagined model will enable more diverse nations to stage the Games in future.
The Commonwealth Games, first held in 1930 as the British Empire Games in Hamilton, Canada, brings together athletes from Commonwealth nations and territories every four years. REUTERS
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