Victoria will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games with a heavy focus on boosting the regional economy.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the event would be largely in the regions, in contrast to the Melbourne 2006 Games.
Four regional hubs will be established in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland, each with an athletes’ village. Shepparton will also host events, and the MCG will host the opening ceremony.
The announcement comes after The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald revealed in January that the Victorian government was looking to host the event after the Commonwealth Games Federation struggled to find a willing city.
Andrews said the event would create thousands of jobs – 600 jobs before the event begins and 3,900 during the games. More than 3,000 would be created beyond the closing ceremony.
Fireworks at the MCG at the closing ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games.Credit:Pennyy Stephens
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