Glasgow set to host 2026 Commonwealth Games

The Scottish Government is on the verge of agreeing a deal for Glasgow to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

BBC Scotland News has realized that Health Secretary Neil Gray will maintain talks with Commonwealth Games Australia on Monday morning.

The Australian state of Victoria withdrew from internet hosting the 2026 occasion attributable to rising prices.

It comes after Australian officers promised a “multi-million pound investment” to assist finalise Glasgow's proposal to save lots of the multi-sport occasion.

Glasgow, which hosted the Games in 2014, is now near confirming a smaller occasion with fewer sports activities.

A supply near the talks mentioned: “In recent weeks the Scottish Government has been probing and testing what it would look like to cut short hosting the Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

“There has been real progress on this. If we are satisfied that we will not have to open the public treasury to pay for these Games, then there is growing confidence that there will be good news on Monday.”

In another significant development, the UK government last week assured the Scottish Government that no public funding would be required to host the Games.

Earlier, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Chris Jenkins said Glasgow would stage a “world-class” Commonwealth Games and set a model for the future.

He said Australian financial support would “further boost and support” the effort to rehost the Games in Scotland.

Mr Jenkins also revealed the Games would not require financial support from the Scottish or British governments.

Instead, it will be funded by a £100 million CGF investment and private income.

He said: “Using existing sporting, transport and accommodation infrastructure and world-class venues and expertise, this compact concept will not only build on the legacy of Glasgow 2014, but establish Scotland as a leader at the start of our journey.

“This progressive, sustainable and attractive proposal is something we are extremely excited about, as it will give more countries the opportunity to host these Games in the future.

“We believe our new game model will pave the way for others.”

The 2026 occasion will probably be shortened after years of problem for the competitors.

It will embody 10 to 13 sports activities, whereas in 2014 this quantity was 18.

Last week it emerged that the UK Government had provided £2.3 million in funding to cowl safety prices related to the privately funded occasion, however had requested the Scottish Government to offer an analogous quantity.

Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray has already expressed considerations concerning the “reputational and financial risks” of the bid and harassed it will not be a reproduction of the 2014 Games.

That version noticed the opening ceremony held at Celtic Park, in addition to the athletics at Hampden, the place the closing ceremony was additionally held.

But solely 4 venues will probably be utilized in 2026 – together with Scotstoun Stadium and Tollcross International Swimming Centre – to save cash.

Commonwealth Games Australia final week provided to cowl any monetary shortfall.

He has instructed each his Scottish counterparts and the Scottish Government that he’s ready to speculate a number of the compensation he obtained when the Australian state of Victoria cancelled his plans.

Commonwealth Games Australia president Ben Houston mentioned: “We understand the model is different and that it creates financial and reputational challenges, but we have full confidence in the model.”

Commonwealth Games Scotland – which is behind Glasgow’s bid – has already welcomed the proposal.

In an announcement launched final week, he mentioned Australians’ “willingness to invest, thereby mitigating concerns of financial and reputational risk, demonstrates how highly regarded our cost-effective proposition is within the global sports and events community.”