New blow for Commonwealth Games as Malaysia rejects offer to host in 2026
By Danial Azhar and Lachlan Abbott
Malaysia has rejected an offer to hold the 2026 Commonwealth Games, another major setback for the global sporting event after Victoria last year sensationally scrapped its hosting plan and put the Games’ entire future in doubt.
On Friday night, the Malaysian government said time constraints, costs and an insufficient offer of funding caused it to reject the Commonwealth Games Federation’s approach as the longstanding event struggles to find a host.
“If we had a longer time, we would definitely do it, but because there’s such a short time, we definitely can’t do it,” Malaysian Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.
“When we assessed the viability of hosting the Games, the length of time needed and the cost was seen to be particularly prohibitive.”
Malaysia ruling itself out raises the possibility that the Games may not take place for the first time since being cancelled in 1942 and 1946 due to the Second World War.
The Commonwealth Games Federation expressed disappointment at Malaysia’s decision, but said its search for a host was continuing.
Malaysia’s Communications and Digital Minister Ahmad Fahmi Fadzil in 2022.Credit: Getty Images
“The confidential process to determine a host is continuing with other interested Commonwealth Games Associations,” a federation spokesperson said, without elaborating.
Then-premier Daniel Andrews cancelled plans to host the 2026 Games in regional Victoria last year, claiming projected costs had ballooned to more than $6 billion.
The handling of the scrapped event has been an embarrassment for Premier Jacinta Allan’s government as recently as this week, when the auditor-general released a scathing report that lashed the initial decision to commit to hosting.
The auditor-general found Victorian bureaucrats gave the green light to host the Games despite significant and unresolved concerns and a business case that overstated the benefits and understated hosting expenses.
The cost of withdrawing was estimated at more than $589 million, including a previously announced $380 million settlement with Games organisers plus the costs of staff, design work and redundancies.
“This waste of taxpayer money on an event that will not happen is significant, especially considering the state’s recent sustained operating deficits and rising debt levels,” the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office wrote.
The premier was the minister responsible for the Games’ delivery before it was axed.
The Games are typically contested by about 70 countries and territories of the former British Empire and medals tables have in recent editions been dominated by Australia, England, Canada, India, New Zealand and South Africa.
Victoria’s withdrawal had already placed the future of the event in doubt and raised questions about whether a Games with colonial origins was still relevant in the modern era and how it fits into an already packed global sporting calendar.
TV rights, the main income driver for international sports events, are tiny for the Commonwealth Games compared to other large-scale competitions, meaning national and local governments can face budget deficits if hosting.
Malaysia’s youth and sports ministry said the 100 million pounds ($193 million) funding it was offered would not be enough to cover the costs of hosting the Games.
“Additionally, the economic impact could not be identified in this short timeframe,” the ministry said.
Asked on Saturday about Malaysia’s decision, a Victorian Government spokesperson said: “Other governments’ Commonwealth Games bids are a matter for them”.
“When the Commonwealth Games needed a host city to step in at the last minute, we were willing to help – but not at any price,” the spokesperson said.
“We’re delivering a comprehensive $2 billion package to ensure regional Victoria still receives all the benefits that would have been facilitated by the Games – and more.”
Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events Sam Groth said Malaysia’s decision not to host the Games reflected the damage done to the event by the Labor Government.
“Not only has this debacle cost Victorians $600 million and trashed our reputation on the global stage, it is now clear Victoria’s cancellation has put the future of the Games in jeopardy,” Groth said.
The Games have struggled to find a willing host in recent years and five of the last six editions have been held in Australia or Britain.
The English city of Birmingham, which had been due to host in 2026, stepped in to save the 2022 event after South Africa was stripped of hosting rights over a lack of progress in preparations.
Birmingham’s move led to the federation scrambling to find another host for 2026 and Victoria had been the only viable candidate after several other cities withdrew from the bidding process over cost issues.
The proposal had received a mixed response in Malaysia, which hosted the 1998 edition, over the lack of preparation time and costs.
The Malaysian Olympic Council had initially proposed holding a downsized Games, with limited spending on athletes’ accommodation and smaller opening and closing ceremonies.
With Annika Smethurst and Reuters
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.