The Gold Coast has officially dropped its bid to co-host the 2026-2027 Commonwealth Games with Perth after the city failed to generate financial support from the state or federal governments.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate confirmed the Queensland city would no longer pursue its $700 million bid to host a “streamlined” 2026 Games shared with Perth, announced after the Victorian government backed out in July withdrew citing cost outbursts.
“We did our best and that is all people can expect,” Tate said in a statement Sunday evening.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate (pictured with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk) has announced the end of Gold Coast’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games
‘Unfortunately, our country’s reputation as a country that has opted out of a global sports contract remains in tatters.’
Mr Tate said he knew the offer was bold but said it would come at no cost.
“Simply put, it appears that the vision of our Games does not align with the vision of the state or federal governments,” he said.
Mr Tate said he was overwhelmed by the support from locals, sports administrators, businesses and athletes “who all wanted the event to be saved”.
“We also had fantastic support from great Australians like Gina Reinhardt, Gerry Harvey and Katie Page, but we were unable to generate support from the state or federal governments,” he said.
‘Our twin proposal with Perth would have saved Australia’s tarnished reputation, injected billions into the national economy and given athletes and para-athletes a clear path to other international competitions, including the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles and then to the 2032 Games in Queensland.’
The Australian team enters the stadium during the opening ceremony of the XXI Commonwealth Games at Carrara Stadium in 2018
Cr Tate will write to Commonwealth Games Federation president Chris Jenkins on Monday to inform him of the decision.
He said the city, which hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games, would move on and look for other major sporting and festival events.
“I wish the federation the best of luck in finding a host for the 2026-2027 Games,” he said.
