Scottish Government to meet Commonwealth Games Australia to discuss plans to host 2026 event in Glasgow

A meeting will be held between the Scottish Government and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) this week to discuss the 2026 Games potentially coming to Glasgow.

Scotland is in the running to stage the next edition of the multi-sport event after Australian state Victoria withdrew as hosts last year citing a rise in estimated costs.

Support among opposition politicians has been strong for the Games to take place in Scotland’s largest city, but ministers have expressed concern about the potential need for public money to be invested.

Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) president Ben Houston announced on Saturday that they would commit to a “multimillion-pound investment” to support the 2026 Games being held in Glasgow – the venue for the 2014 edition.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said no decision had yet been taken on the Games but that talks were ongoing ahead of a meeting due to take place with CGA and Health Secretary Neil Gray this week.

The spokesperson said: “Discussions on this issue are ongoing and no decision has been taken by the Scottish Government. As part of these discussions, the health secretary will meet with Commonwealth Games Australia next week.

“Due diligence is being given to the many opportunities and risks this proposal presents.”

The investment announced by CGA chief Mr Houston is in addition to £100m already committed by the Commonwealth Games Federation.

Mr Houston said in a statement this weekend: “Commonwealth Games Australia welcomes the enthusiasm for the Games by the Scottish and UK governments, and we want to do all that we can to make Glasgow 2026 a reality.

“We appreciate that the model is different and that that creates perceived financial and reputational challenges, but we have every confidence in the model proposed by Commonwealth Games Scotland.

“As one of the beneficiaries of the settlement with the Victorian government, we today commit a multimillion-pound investment into the Games to be further negotiated with Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Scottish Government.

“Now is not the time to walk away from a Games that has inspired for generations, and we look forward to working collaboratively toward an outcome that benefits Commonwealth nations, their athletes, coaches and fans.”

Commonwealth Games Federation president Chris Jenkins welcomed the proposal.

“We commend Commonwealth Games Australia for making this generous multimillion-pound offer to further enhance and support the Glasgow 2026 ambitions,” Mr Jenkins said in a statement released on Sunday.

“It demonstrates the tremendous support from around the Commonwealth and the overwhelming desire to have a Games take place in 2026.

“The Commonwealth Games Federation fully endorses the innovative, cost-effective, sustainable concept Commonwealth Games Scotland has developed for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and unreservedly believes that Scotland and the CGS team, with its significant experience in, and successful global reputation for organising major sports events, is more than able to deliver a world-class event in such a short period of time.”