Regional Victoria will host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in March 2026, with hubs set for Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland.
The Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games dates are locked in and a process is open for additional sports to be added to the program.
The Commonwealth Games will be held between 17-29 March 2026, beginning with the Opening Ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground where athletes and visitors from around Australia and the world will gather to celebrate the start of the Games.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Regional Victoria has been confirmed as the host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games
The Opening Ceremony at the iconic G will be followed by 12 days of competition between the Commonwealth’s best athletes across regional Victoria, allowing our beautiful regions to shine on the world stage.
“We’ve locked in the dates for the Commonwealth’s finest athletes to compete for gold in regional Victoria at the 2026 Games,’’ says Deputy Premier and Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery Jacinta Allan.
“We’re getting on with delivering this global sporting event and including more sports will draw more of the Commonwealth’s finest athletes to our own backyard to inspire Victorians.’’
In a Commonwealth Games first, Victoria 2026 will introduce a multi-city model that delivers global sport to four regional hubs in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland. Each of those hubs will have its own athletes’ village and host a range of sports that will create a legacy for Victoria that extends well beyond the competition period.
Sports so far flagged include Aquatics, Badminton, Athletics and Para-Athletics, Boxing, Beach Volleyball, Cricket T20, Cycling, Gymnastics, Hockey, Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls, Netball, Rugby 7s, Squash, Table Tennis and Para-Table Tennis, Triathlon and Para-Triathlon, and Weightlifting and para-powerlifting.
The Andrews Labor Government will work with the education sector in relation to the school term dates that year to ensure the participation of as many Victorians in the Games as possible.
An expressions of interest process for additional sports to be included in the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games has commenced and will involve submissions from international sporting federations with support from recognised or affiliated Australian organisations. The period for consideration will close on 19 August.
“Commonwealth Games Australia is excited about welcoming the athletes of the Commonwealth to Victoria during the second half of March 2026,” says Commonwealth Games Australia President Ben Houston.
“This time of year traditionally sees Victoria’s climate at its best and conducive to top sporting performances.”
Read the announcement here.
