Scottish govt ‘on verge’ of deal to host 2026 Commonwealth Games

The Scottish government is nearing an agreement for Glasgow to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Health Secretary Neil Gray is set to meet with Commonwealth Games Australia on Monday morning to continue discussions.

This follows the Australian state of Victoria withdrawing as the 2026 host due to escalating costs.

Australian authorities have pledged a “multi-million-pound investment” to help secure Glasgow’s bid to take over the event.

Glasgow, which previously hosted the games in 2014, is close to confirming a scaled-down version of the event, with fewer sports included.

Neil Gray told BBC Scotland News that it is now “more likely” Scotland will host the 2026 Games compared to when talks first began, but he cautioned that the event will differ from Glasgow’s previous hosting.

He told BBC Radio’s Good Morning programme: “Reputationally my worry and the government’s worry has always been that there is going to be a comparison with the incredibly successful 2014 games, which by any stretch of the imagination both in terms of the performances, the spectacle that it was and the legacy, were going to be hard to match.

“But I’m hopeful that if we are able to recognise that if we are to go ahead, this is a different games, this is a smaller event.

“Fewer sports across fewer sites but with good collaboration we could see something coming forward that is still positive for Glasgow and for Scotland.”

He stated that discussions were ongoing and emphasized the importance of ensuring “there is no financial risk to the government.”

Last week, the UK government assured the Scottish government that no public funds would be needed to host the games.

Earlier, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Chris Jenkins expressed confidence that Glasgow would deliver a “world-class” Commonwealth Games, potentially setting a model for future events.

Jenkins added that the Australian funding pledge would “further enhance and support” Scotland’s bid to host the games.

He also affirmed that neither the Scottish nor UK governments would need to provide financial backing, as the event would be funded through a £100m CGF investment and private revenue sources.

He said: “In utilising existing sporting, transport and accommodation infrastructure, and world-class venues and expertise, the compact concept would not only build on the legacy of Glasgow 2014 but would position Scotland as pioneers at the start of our journey.

“This forward-thinking, sustainable, and attractive proposition is something we are hugely passionate about as it will allow more countries to host these games in the future.

“We believe our new games model will lead the way for others to follow.”

The 2026 Commonwealth Games would be a scaled-down version, following years of challenges for the event. It would include between 10 and 13 sports, compared to 18 at the 2014 games.

Last week, it was revealed that the UK government had offered £2.3m to help cover safety and security costs for the privately-funded event, on the condition that the Scottish government matched that contribution.

Neil Gray had previously voiced concerns about the “reputational and financial risks” involved in the bid, emphasizing that the 2026 games would not be a replica of the 2014 edition. The 2014 event featured an opening ceremony at Celtic Park and athletics at Hampden Park, which also hosted the closing ceremony.

However, to reduce costs, the 2026 games would utilize only four venues, including Scotstoun Stadium and the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

Last week, Commonwealth Games Australia offered to cover any potential financial shortfall. They informed both their Scottish counterparts and the Scottish government that they were willing to invest some of the compensation they received after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew from hosting.

Commonwealth Games Australia’s president, Ben Houston, acknowledged that the new model posed perceived financial and reputational challenges but expressed full confidence in its viability.

Commonwealth Games Scotland, the organization backing Glasgow’s bid, has already welcomed Australia’s offer.

In a statement released last week they said the Australians’ “willingness to invest, to further alleviate concerns of perceived financial and reputational risk, shows the high regard on which our cost-effective proposal is held within the global sport and events community.”