Ballarat co-host of 2026 Comm Games

REGIONAL Victoria will take centre stage on the international sports calendar after the state won a one-horse race to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The multi-sport event for Commonwealth nations will be held across the state in March in four years’ time, Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed on Mars Stadium on Tuesday, with Ballarat set to host the centrepiece athletics and para-athletics.

Four regional hubs will be established in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Gippsland each with an athletes’ villages while Shepparton will also host events.

The 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground has been locked in to host the opening ceremony.

Premier Daniel Andrews said it would be a Games like no other.

“It will be the greatest spotlight, the greatest showcase of all that we have to offer,” he said.

“We’re not just doing a re-run [of the 2006 games]. It’s not going to be the same as it’s ever been.

“It’s a great honour to have Victoria chosen as the host venue for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, we can’t wait to welcome the world to all of our state.

“The Commonwealth Games in regional Victoria is great for jobs, hospitality and our economy.”

Commonwealth Games Federation president Dame Louise Martin said an initial list of 16 sports has been selected, including T20 cricket and rugby sevens with further sports will be added later in the year.

She also praised the bid’s “innovative” approach.

“The Commonwealth Games Federation is absolutely delighted to award the 2026 Commonwealth Games to Victoria,” she said.

“Commonwealth Games Australia and the Victorian Government have set out a bold and innovative vision that provides an exciting new blueprint for hosting our major multi-sport event.”

It is the first time the Commonwealth Games have been awarded to a state or region in its 92-year history, usually selecting a city instead.

The Games last came to Victoria in 2006, when Melbourne played host. It is the sixth time the event has been held in Australia, most recently on the Gold Coast in 2018.

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney said the event could have lasting impacts for the region in both infrastructure and in less tangible ways.

“The Games are quite literally the game changer for our city,” he said.

“When you think back, as a coach of rowers, they go through school rowing programs believing they can represent Australia and become Olympians, and some of them do, because the 1956 Olympics were on our lake and they can see Olympic rings as row past.

“There are the sort of things that have positive impacts for generations.”

The costs of hosting the Games will be revealed in the upcoming state budget, due to be released on 3 May.

Along with the athletics and para-athletics, and of the announced sports, Ballarat is also pencilled in hold T20 cricket matches, as well as the boxing at Selkirk Stadium.

Geelong is down as hosting the aquatics – including swimming, para swimming and diving, hockey, beach volleyball, gymnastics, table tennis and para table tennis, triathlon and para triathlon,

Bendigo is listed to host netball, squash, and weightlifting and para powerlifting.

While Gippsland is set to see action in badminton and rugby sevens.

All locations will see T20 matches, while Gippsland to Bendigo will share cycling events.

-WITH AAP