Malaysia Offered £100m to Step in as Host for 2026 Commonwealth Games

Malaysia has been extended a £100 million offer to take up the role of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games, filling the void left by the cancellation of Victoria’s plans in Australia last July.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) formally invited Malaysia through the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to consider replacing Victoria as the host for the upcoming event. The CGF disclosed that they are currently engaged in advanced discussions with potential hosts and are eager to finalize arrangements.

According to a statement on the OCM website, the £100 million assistance package is intended to facilitate the local execution and legacy planning for the 2026 Games. Malaysia, having previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, sees this as a unique opportunity to showcase its sporting prowess on the global stage once again.

Mohamad Norza Zakaria, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of Malaysia, expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of hosting the 2026 Games, describing it as a chance to build upon the success of 1998 and elevate Malaysia’s profile in the world of sports.

A spokesperson for the CGF emphasized Malaysia’s strong track record in organizing sporting events and highlighted their positive discussions with potential hosts. They commended Malaysia’s commitment to leveraging existing world-class facilities from the 1998 Games to ensure a successful and sustainable event in 2026.

The Commonwealth Games, held every four years, brings together athletes from over 70 nations and territories that are part of the Commonwealth. Despite facing challenges in finding a host for the 2026 Games after Victoria’s withdrawal, the CGF remains optimistic about securing a solution that inspires athletes and aligns with their vision for a sustainable model.

Victoria’s cancellation came after the projected costs for hosting the event skyrocketed from A$2.6 billion to over A$6 billion, prompting the state to withdraw its plans. This setback follows Durban’s loss of hosting rights for the 2022 Games due to financial difficulties and missed deadlines, with Birmingham stepping in as a replacement.