Commonwealth Games-Scottish government throws support behind Glasgow 2026 bid

MANCHESTER, England :The Scottish government has backed a bid for Glasgow to host a scaled-down version of the Commonwealth Games in 2026, 12 years after the city last hosted the quadrennial multi-sport event.

The Games were originally slated for the Australian state of Victoria, but they withdrew as hosts due to rising costs.

"We have been working with Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) and the Scottish Government for several months and are delighted to hear CGS has received confirmation of support from the Government to enable them to progress with their proposal to host the Games in 2026," Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Chris Jenkins said in a statement on Tuesday.

At the heart of discussions, Jenkins said, is the 100 million pound ($132.00 million) investment from the CGF and the commitment that Glasgow 2026 would not require financial underwriting from either the Scottish or UK Governments.

Commonwealth Games Australia also committed a multimillion pound investment to help finalise the Glasgow deal, "a strong sign of the support and excitement for the concept within the wider Commonwealth Games Movement," Jenkins said.

The Glasgow proposal is for a scaled-down version of previous Games, with 10 sports to be held in four venues.

"The Commonwealth Games are a key pathway for elite athletes, a great event for spectators, and a fantastic opportunity to bring together the Commonwealth family of nations in a positive and impactful way," a UK government spokesperson said.

"This is a positive outcome for the Commonwealth Games movement and for the United Kingdom, and an opportunity to showcase what a new, more sustainable model for the Games looks like to assure its future as an event to 2030 and beyond."

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