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Fears that Glasgow 2026 might be the last-ever Commonwealth Games have been alleviated after seven nations lodged official expressions of interest to host in 2030 or 2034.<\/b><\/p>\n
Scotland’s largest city stepped in last year with plans for a scaled-back Games next summer after the Australia state of Victoria withdrew for financial reasons.<\/p>\n
Those proposed changes to the event – fewer sports, fewer athletes, fewer venues – have lessened the cost and enticed other potential hosts to look at future stagings. <\/p>\n
Canada, India, Nigeria, plus two others have all publicly confirmed their interest in the centenary Games in 2030, while New Zealand are one of two nations looking at the 2034 edition.<\/p>\n
In January, the 74 Commonwealth nations were invited to lodge notes of interest and the seven who responded positively – all from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania – will have the feasiblity of their bids examined over the next five months.<\/p>\n
It is expected that the hosts of the 2030 Games will be finalised in November.<\/p>\n
Commonwealth Sport chief executive Katie Sadleir said: “We are thrilled with the incredible interest from four of our six regions.<\/p>\n
“We cannot understate the hugely-significant role Scotland has played, having the foresight, tenacity and innovative thinking to step forward and host in 2026. <\/p>\n
“We are confident that Glasgow’s pioneering example will increase the breadth of countries able to host the Games in the decades ahead.”<\/p>\n
Phil Batty, chief executive of Glasgow 2026, said the news shows that next summer’s Games will be “a pivotal moment” in the event’s history.<\/p>\n
“I have every confidence Glasgow 2026 will pioneer a new model for the major event – one that delivers a successful Games on time, on budget and with high-quality sport at the heart of the experience,” he added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n