Yahoo News Commonwealth Games 'likely' to return to Glasgow in 2026 but with fewer events
The Commonwealth Games are on the verge of being confirmed as returning to Glasgow in 2026 following talks between the Scottish Government and Australian sport bosses.
Neil Gray, the Health Secretary said it is possible the sporting extravaganza could return as a “smaller event” - but warned it was “critical” that public money is not used to fund it.
Hampden Park would not be used for athletics like it was in 2014, with track and field events likely to hosted at the much smaller Scotstoun venue.
Holyrood officials are meeting Commonwealth Games Australia on Monday to discuss the potential for the next instalment of the multi-sport event to be moved to Scotland’s largest city.
Gray said on-going discussions made a deal "more likely".
The two sides are on the verge of doing a deal after the Australian authorities promised millions of pounds of investment.
READ MORE: SNP Government to meet Commonwealth Games Australia to discuss Glasgow 2026 plan
The state of Victoria withdrew as hosts last year citing a rise in estimated costs, meaning Glasgow – which last hosted the event in 2014 – could once again welcome athletes from the Commonwealth nations.
Gray said the Scottish Government is concerned people would compare the 2026 games unfavourably with the 2014 event.
He said: “I’m hopeful that we will be able to recognise that if we are to go ahead, this is a different games. This is a smaller event, fewer sports across fewer sites.
“But with good collaboration we could see something coming forward that is still positive for Glasgow and for Scotland.”
He said the “critical element” for the Scottish Government is that is does not have to commit any money for the games.
Asked if there could be an announcement today, he said there had been progress in recent talks, adding: “I think we’re in a situation where it’s more likely now than when we entered these discussions that we’d be seeing the Commonwealth Games coming to Scotland.”
The UK Government and opposition parties at Holyrood have been keen to see the event return to Glasgow, but so far Scottish ministers have been hesitant to give it their backing. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will hold a summit on Monday with Glasgow businesses to discuss the issue.
The multi-sport event is held every four years across Commonwealth countries, with Birmingham the most recent host city in 2022. Edinburgh hosted the Games in 1970 and 1986.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The health secretary had a positive meeting with Commonwealth Games Australia and Commonwealth Games Scotland and welcomed their efforts to support Glasgow 2026.
“Discussions remain ongoing and while no decision has been taken by the Scottish Government, ministers expect to update parliament and partners on those discussions in the coming days.”
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