Surf Coast, Geelong touted as Commonwealth Games hosts

LOCAL clubs and Australia’s peak surfing body are ringing the bell for their sport’s inclusion at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and say the Surf Coast is the perfect host.

Geelong has also put its hand up to start and finish the two-week international sports festival, and said the region had capacity to host a wide range of Games events.

Regional Victoria appears set to stage the 2026 Games, after Premier Daniel Andrews announced last week the state had entered “exclusive” negotiations with organisers about a “predominantly regional” event spread across Victoria.

The state government said it was yet to confirm details about event locations while discussions were ongoing, causing rife speculation across the state about which regions and venues the Games could showcase.

With the jewel of Australia’s surfing crown sitting right in the region’s backyard, Torquay surfers said the upcoming event would be the ideal opportunity to introduce the sport to the Commonwealth Games program at the world-famous Bells Beach.

“The history of surfing in Australia is really strong, so if you’re going to kick off surfing in the Commonwealth Games then Australia is the perfect country to do it,” Torquay Boardriders Club president Harry Man said.

“We have so many great breaks to offer down here. With Bells being one of the oldest surfing comps ever, it would be fitting to have it there.”

Peak state body Surfing Victoria said it would advocate for the sport’s inclusion at the 2026 Games if the event lands in Victoria.

“Surfing Victoria is stoked to hear there is a possibility of the Commonwealth Games being held in Victoria. Surfing would be a great complement to other sports in the games and Victoria has some of the best waves in the country for competitors,” CEO Adam Robertson said. “We look forward to working with the state government and (Commonwealth Games) organising committee on the potential inclusion of surfing to the program.”

Surfing is not currently on the Commonwealth Games Federation’s list of available sports, despite earning Olympic status and featuring at Tokyo last year.

Games organisers typically facilitate inclusion of sports that have historical significance to its host country; this year’s Games in England will return cricket, Gold Coast 2018 added beach volleyball for the first time, while Delhi 2010 included wrestling.

Surfing bodies unsuccessfully lobbied for surfing to be included in the Gold Coast program, despite surfing themes featuring heavily among the event’s mascot and merchandise.

Meanwhile, Geelong is likely to feature heavily in a potential regional Victorian Games as the state’s most-populous regional city, and has put forward its case to host the opening and closing ceremonies and a range of sports.

Geelong boasts by far the largest stadium in regional Victoria at Kardinia Park, which would hold more that 40,000 spectators when its current stage-five redevelopment finishes next year.

“GMHBA Stadium at Kardinia Park is an outstanding stadium that can host everything from the world’s biggest bands to major sporting events,” City of Greater Geelong deputy mayor Trent Sullivan said.

“If the negotiations are successful, Geelong is a clear choice to host a spectacular opening or closing ceremony. Our city boasts some of the best sporting facilities in regional Australia and we’re ready to host everything from rowing to swimming, athletics, cricket, triathlons, road cycling, Rugby Sevens, and hockey.”

Mr Andrews last week hinted at Geelong region’s suitability to host aquatics events, which include swimming, synchronised swimming and diving.

Geelong Arena hosted preliminary basketball rounds when Melbourne hosted the Games in 2006.