Following Victoria’s withdrawal, Malaysia and Singapore ruled out hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Singapore joined Malaysia in ruling out hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Wednesday, further plunging the future of the multi-sport event into uncertainty.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is struggling to find a new host after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew last year due to soaring costs.
Malaysia had emerged as a possible replacement but turned down the opportunity last month, despite being offered a £100 million ($126 million) sweetener from the CGF.
Financial support is available to any potential host.
“The Singapore Commonwealth Games and Sport Singapore have studied the feasibility of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games and have decided not to submit a bid to host the Games,” the two sporting bodies said in a joint statement, without linger there.
Victoria’s withdrawal and lack of obvious alternatives raised doubts about the future of the CWG. The multi-sport event takes place every four years and most of the competing teams come from former British colonies.
The Games were last hosted in 2022 in Birmingham, England.
The CGF hopes the Games’ perceived strengths in inclusiveness and integration, with Paralympic sports mixed with able-bodied events, will secure a host in just two years.
Katie Sadleir, CEO of the CGF, acknowledges that time is of the essence, but says intensive efforts are underway.
“The process to determine the host of the 2026 Games continues at the pace of the associations interested in the Commonwealth Games,” she said last month.
