New Commonwealth Games roadmap to deliver excitement and innovation for future hosts and sports

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The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has unveiled a new Strategic Roadmap to encourage a more flexible sports program to encourage cost-effective future Games.

 

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has unveiled a new Strategic Roadmap at its 2021 General Assembly which provides potential future hosts and sports with the renewed flexibility to be innovative and creative in delivering the Commonwealth Games.

In a series of recommendations to increase hosting benefits and make the Games even more cost-effective, whilst engaging new audiences, the Commonwealth Sport 2026-2030 Strategic Roadmap invites future hosts to explore innovative concepts, including co-hosting and mass participation event.

Commonwealth Games Australia chief executive officer Craig Phillips AM said the new Strategic Roadmap will offer more flexibility for potential Commonwealth Games hosts in the future, including Australian host communities.

“The CGF’s Strategic Roadmap is an exciting and modern approach to help potential Games host communities understand what is involved and what is required to hold a Commonwealth Games,” Phillips said.

“Once again hosting a home Games is integral to our mission at Commonwealth Games Australia, and we have always witnessed the benefits of hosting the Commonwealth Games on Australian soil.

“As a direct legacy of hosting the Gold Coast 2018 Games, Commonwealth Games Australia is investing $13m back to our Member sports and directly to team members, including $2m in direct athlete support via our recently announced BreakThrough2022 program across the 21 Commonwealth Games sports at Birmingham 2022.

“We would like to host another home Commonwealth Games in 2026, which will help stimulate a golden period for Australian sport along the journey towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

“Seeing not only our country’s best athletes but the world’s best in person and competing on Australian soil inspires the next generation of sporting stars to continue to pursue their dreams and goals.

“This new Strategic Roadmap will assist host communities to understand the costs but understand the community benefits of hosting a Commonwealth Games.”

As part of an ongoing consultation with International Federations, there are ambitions for a revised Sport Programme to provide hosts with more flexibility to choose from a wider list of core sports.

This will now include disciplines that have previously been listed as optional sports such as T20 Cricket, Beach Volleyball and 3×3 Basketball.

This will allow hosts the ability to propose entirely new sports, relevant to their nation or culture, to enhance cultural showcasing and community engagement.

To provide a blueprint for flexibility and certainty, the recommendation from the CGF is for approximately 15 sports to feature at the Commonwealth Games.

There will be flexibility with the maximum number of sports, with athletics and swimming proposed as the two compulsory sports.

This is due to their historical place on the programme since 1930 and based on universality, participation, broadcasting, spectator interest, Para-sport inclusion and gender balance.

Engagement will continue with Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) and International Federations over the coming months in line with the vision, intent and direction of the Roadmap.

The CGF will continue to work with future hosts to agree the minimum and maximum cap on athlete numbers, helping ensure that the size, scale and cost of the multi-sport event is continually optimised and carefully managed.

This will allow the host to generate maximum value, impact and legacy from staging the event, with this work supported by the Commonwealth Games Value Framework.

Coupled with a strong proposition for prospective hosts, the roadmap will allow a more sustainable long-term agenda, with increased awareness of how sport and culture can positively impact communities. Amongst other approved recommendations, the Strategic Roadmap has outlined that:

  • An integrated Para-sport programme must remain a key, focal part of the Games
  • Future potential hosts would be encouraged to consider alternative Athlete Village solutions, rather than being required to accommodate athletes in a new build environment or on a single site
  • International Federations would be encouraged to propose new innovations and sports/disciplines to drive growth and youth engagement
  • The Federation will continue to prioritise sustainability, social purpose and legacy planning as part of discussions with potential hosts
  • Hosts would be encouraged to consider mass participation events as part of their health and well-being programmes

The Strategic Roadmap was approved by the Commonwealth Games Associations at the 2021 CGF General Assembly, which was held virtually.

“We are delighted to unveil our direction of travel with this new Strategic Roadmap, which I believe marks the start of an exciting new era for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Sport,” CGF President Dame Louise Martin said.

“Our Games need to adapt, evolve and modernise to ensure we continue to maintain our relevance and prestige across the Commonwealth.

“After a long period of hard work and consultation, incorporating the views and opinions of our membership and experts across the world, we are excited to move forwards with this Roadmap.

“I would like to thank all our 72 Commonwealth Games Associations for their support.

“Our next step is to work closely with our International Federation partners to ensure they can contribute to the vision and direction of the Roadmap in order to underpin the future of the Games.”

To view the 2026/30 Strategic Roadmap recommendations summary, please click here.

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