Commonwealth Games Australia remains committed to hosting a Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Currently, the 2026 edition of the Games is without a confirmed host and Commonwealth Games Australia believes Adelaide is extremely well positioned to host these Games.
As demonstrated by the recent editions in Australia (Melbourne 2006 and Gold Coast 2018) hosting the Games provides many long-lasting benefits for the host city, our sports and our athletes.
In support of a potential bid, Commonwealth Games Australia commissioned a report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) which has now been delivered to Government and is today being publicly released.
The Games Value Framework Report – The Case for the Adelaide 2026 Commonwealth Games – is based on economic analysis and benefits of hosting previous Games, combined with the new Games operating and delivery model of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
The report also demonstrates the strong links between the potential benefits of a Games in Adelaide to the South Australian Government’s own priorities and ambitions in areas such as economic and employment growth; trade and tourism; infrastructure, liveability and accessibility; sustainability and resilience and importantly, South Australia’s presence on the international stage.
The highlights of the report include:
- Up to $2.5bn economic boost for South Australia, before, during and after the Games
- $790m in trade deals and investments to South Australia
- Capacity to significantly re-boot the post-COVID economy via employment and infrastructure outcomes aligned with the State’s Sports Infrastructure Plan and other key Government objectives.
- Estimated net cost of hosting the Games to the South Australian Government of $650m in operating costs with an additional $350m in legacy infrastructure.
- The positioning of Adelaide as a world-class events city that builds upon events such as the Tour Down Under and Adelaide Festival.
The report shows the Gold Coast Games in 2018 delivered significant Host City benefits including 21,000 jobs, 250,000 additional hotel visitor nights, 25% increase in tourism in the three years post Games. 87% of Games related contracts on the Gold Coast were awarded to local businesses.
Commonwealth Games Australia has recently re-engaged with the Marshall Government to discuss the potential bid.
