Commonwealth Games: Multi-city and multi-country options remain on the table

Wednesday 06 December 2023

Guernsey has faith in the Commonwealth Games Federation to find an answer to who will host the 2026 event and beyond.

Meanwhile, It has also held talks with Jersey about the potential of hosting the Commonwealth Youth Games in the islands.

Rising costs led to Victoria, Australia, suddenly pulling out and at the start of this week the Gold Coast also withdrew itself as an option.

It is understood the UK will also not step in to rescue the 2026 event, but the Federation remains in discussions about finding an answer.

The Guernsey Commonwealth Games Association chair Angela Stuart attended the CGF Annual General Assembly two weeks ago.

“The CGF Executive Board is in discussion with regions to secure a host who would be able to step in a such short notice, and this work is continuing across multiple Commonwealth regions,” she said.

“We are hoping that a more clarified progress report will be provided by the CGF by the end of quarter one in 2024.   

 “What could the next Games look like? Various models are under discussion and it may well be that we see a more flexible and creative Games, be more accessible to more hosts, including opening up the potential for new sport formats, multi-city and multi-country proposals. We put our faith in the CGF to secure a suitable host for 2026 and beyond.”

The Guernsey Association elected a new board in June and stands ready to support local sport.

“This is likely to be a challenging time for all concerned, but with a breadth of knowledge and experience from both former athletes and sport administrators we are confident in embracing these challenges.”  

Guernsey enjoyed success at the Birmingham 2022 Games.

Lucy Beere won silver in bowls and Alastair Chalmers bronze in the 400m hurdles.

Pictured: The Commonwealth Youth Games was held in Trinidad and Tobago. Guernsey and Jersey have discussed whether they too could host the youth event.

“We have been asked, ‘could Guernsey host a Commonwealth Games?’ That realistically is one for the politicians with many aspects of travel, hotel accommodation, and transport requiring great input.   

“However, as a Commonwealth Games Association it is something that we have discussed with our neighbours, Jersey, to discuss a Commonwealth Youth Games similar to that held in Trinidad and Tobago this last Summer.  

“We certainly have amazing sport venues together with experienced sport administrators in Guernsey, as hosting the Island Games has shown.   

“A Senior Commonwealth Games is on a much larger scale and would require at least 7,000 bed accommodation for a period of two to three weeks, plus the capacity to feed large amounts of athletes and para-athletes at all times of the day, and sometimes at night. Spectator accommodation will also be required.”