The government of Alberta has decided to pull its support for hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games due to the estimated bill of C$2.7 billion, which the province deemed too burdensome to bear. The withdrawal from the bidding process has left the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) disappointed, as it believed Alberta had the potential to be a fantastic host for the event. Without Alberta’s firm bid, there are currently no other contenders to host the 2030 Games.
Initially, Alberta had planned to host the games over 11 days in August 2030, with events distributed between Calgary, Edmonton, the Tsuut’ina Nation, and Enoch Cree Nation. However, concerns about the corporate sponsorship model and limited broadcast revenues, which would place 93% of the costs and risks on taxpayers, led to the decision to withdraw the bid. The provincial government emphasized the importance of transparency in funding and demonstrating a return on investment, ultimately leading to their choice not to pursue the bid any further.
Commonwealth Sport Canada had been conducting a feasibility study for the bid, and the withdrawal from Alberta has effectively terminated the bid and halted Calgary’s participation. The Commonwealth Games are a significant multi-sport tournament that takes place every four years, involving participants from the 54 Commonwealth countries and 18 territories. The games have only been canceled once during World War Two.
Australia’s withdrawal from hosting the 2026 Games in Victoria due to budget overruns further raised concerns about the financial viability of hosting the Commonwealth Games. Despite these setbacks, there are still ongoing dialogues with potential hosts, and Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has expressed willingness to consider proposals for Scotland to host at least part of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also offered support for a bid to host the games in 2026, although the final decision rests with the government. The CGF remains committed to finding a solution and ensuring the continuity of this prestigious sporting event.
SOURCE: Ref Image from SportCal
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