Singapore assessing 'feasibility of invite' to host 2026 Commonwealth Games

SINGAPORE: Singapore is “currently assessing the feasibility” of an invitation by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to stage the 2026 edition of the Games.

In response to CNA’s queries, Commonwealth Games Singapore (CGS) and Sport Singapore (SportSG) said on Thursday (Mar 14) that during last November’s general assembly, CGF invited all member associations – including Singapore – to express interest in hosting the next Games.

The assembly, which was held in Singapore, was convened four months after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out as hosts of the 2026 Games, citing the projected cost overruns.

Daniel Andrews, the then-state premier, said that the cost of the Games, could spiral to more than A$7 billion (US$4.8 billion) from a budgeted A$2.6 billion if they went ahead with the quadrennial multi-sport event.

"I will not take money out of hospitals and schools to fund an event that is three times the cost as estimated and budgeted for last year,” he added.

Victoria’s decision to withdraw as hosts and the lack of an obvious alternative after Australia's Gold Coast pulled its bid to step in as a replacement has triggered debate about the future of the Games, which was last held in Birmingham, UK in 2022. 

According to the British government, the Birmingham Games' budget was £778 million (US$995 million) and the 2026 Games in Victoria - had it gone ahead - was forecast to be four times that. 

Since the inaugural edition in 1930, the Games has only twice been held in Asia –  Kuala Lumpur in 1998 and New Delhi in 2010 – with hosting duties largely split between the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. 

During this year’s Budget Speech, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced plans to bring more major sporting