Commonwealth Games Australia calls for Federal Government support for Victoria's 2026 Games

Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) has today called upon the Federal Government to commit the necessary preparation funding for the 20 sports that will feature in Victoria 2026 Games through to December 2026.

CGA is also calling for a $10 million per annum uplift in investment, echoing the precedent established by the Federal Government when they committed $15 million to boost athlete preparation ahead of Gold Coast 2018.

Detailed in the body's Pre-Budget Submission to the Federal Government, CGA Chief Executive, Craig Phillips (pictured) advised “Australia’s success at Birmingham 2022 was not the product of luck or a fluke.

“It took years of preparation, certainty in funding and a broad commitment from the Federal Government and its agencies to invest in and support program sports and their athletes as they strived to win gold for Australia.”

“The results speak for themselves - a finish atop the medal tally with 178 medals won and a win over our greatest rival England.”

Phillips also noted the pragmatic approach of the CGA ask of the Federal Government, adding “our ask of the Federal Government is pragmatic and considers the national financial position, cost of living and other pressures experienced by Australians.

“We are not naïve enough to believe sport funding should take precedent over other critical investment, but instead acknowledge that this investment extension by 12 months accounts for just 0.08 per cent of the $105.8 billion forecast to be spent on health on this financial year.”

CGA has also referenced a post Birmingham 2022 research paper published by the Australian Sports Commission which indicated that 18 million Australians (more than 70% of the population) watched, listened, or read media coverage about the last Commonwealth Games.

67% of these people were reported as saying that they saw something that made them proud or want to participate in sport.

The 12-days of competition topped the YouGov Global Sports Rankings, generating the most buzz of any sporting event in Australia last year eclipsing the FIFA World Cup, the Australian Open, the NRL State of Origin and the AFL Grand Final.

Phillips concluded "by investing in the success of the Australian Team, we will achieve the one thing locals and visitors alike will remember – the successful delivery of the first-ever regional Commonwealth Games led by an all-conquering Australian Team."

CGA’s submission also details the need for immediate funding of Games times services for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in regional Victoria. This includes guaranteed entry to Australia appropriately accredited persons with a valid passport and assistance in delivering anti-doping measures for the Games.