Glasgow set to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Australia offers Scotland £100m to save event
Glasgow is on the verge of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games following a last-minute cash boost from the other side of the world.
Glasgow is on the verge of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games following a last-minute cash boost from the other side of the world.
The Scottish cabinet is expected to confirm its support today, letting Commonwealth Games Scotland fire the starting gun on the £150million event at a board meeting this week.
It follows months of wrangling over money between Holyrood, Westminster and Glasgow City Council.
SNP ministers and council chiefs refused to put in taxpayers money in case of cost overruns, and the UK Government refused to underwrite the event.
The impasse was broken by Westminster agreeing to absorb any unforeseen security costs and Commonwealth Games Australia adding several million pounds to the pot.
Usain Bolt posing at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The city is now set to host the 2026 Games following a cash boost from Australia
Fireworks at the 2022 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham
The Australians said ensuring the events survival was in the interests of Australian sport.
The Scottish Conservatives said the SNP-run council now had to fix the disgraceful state of the city centre or Glaswegians would be embarrassed to let spectators see it.
A council source said: Its clearly positive. We can now be confident that there will be no bill for the council.
Glasgow last hosted the Games in 2014 at a cost of £540million, with 18 sports staged at new and upgraded facilities.
The scaled-back 2026 Games will be more modest, with only 10 to 13 sports, and no marathon, outdoor cycling or water events.
Glasgow was left as the only viable host after other countries backed out, despite the Commonwealth Games Federation guaranteeing a £100million contribution and another £50million likely from ticket sales and broadcast rights.
Glasgow was left as the only viable host after other countries backed out, despite the Commonwealth Games Federation guaranteeing a £100million contribution and another £50million from tickets and broadcasting rights. Pictured: Athletes attending the 2014 closing ceremony
Flags being waved at the Glasgow 2014 closing ceremony held at Hampden Park. The 2026 Games will be scaled back, with only 10 to 13 sports
The Australian state of Victoria withdrew last summer because of spiralling costs.
Although the Scottish Government will not put any money into Glasgow staging the Games, its blessing and co-operation is seen as essential.
The UK Government will help with visas and anti-doping and anti-corruption measures, as well as anti-terrorism spending.
Speaking before talks with Commonwealth Games Australia yesterday, SNP health and sport secretary Neil Gray said the critical element for his government was not to commit any money to the event.
He added that Glasgow city centre was on a transition at the moment in terms of some of the works that are required, and ministers would co-operate with the council where they could.
Chris Jenkins, president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said Glasgow would deliver a world-class festival of sport.
