Exclusive | Residents in regional Victoria could be given priority access to tickets for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in an effort to match the sellout events in Birmingham, which have drawn record crowds. | By Rob Harris
Regional Victorian residents could be given priority access to tickets for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in an effort to match the sellout events in Birmingham, which have drawn record crowds to the industrial city.
It could result in small countries, such as in the Pacific and Africa, hosting one or more competitions in the future.Victoria 2026 chief executive Jeroen Weimar has led a team, including police and tourism officials, to the Games to look at all aspects of the logistics. Organisers are still planning seating capacity for the regional events, but Weimar said the sports-loving public, especially in regional Victoria, gave him confidence the next Games could match the atmosphere created in Birmingham.Organisers are also in discussions with Australia’s football codes and Formula 1 to avoid clashes with the Games, which will be held from March 17 to 29, 2026, around the time the AFL men’s season begins and the Australian Grand Prix is usually held.
Ballarat’s Eureka Stadium will be upgraded for track and field, and the city will also host boxing. Bendigo will host cycling, lawn bowls, weightlifting, squash, and netball. Gippsland will play host to rugby sevens. Games organisers hope to add men’s Twenty20 cricket to the competition, but it is unclear whether a hectic international schedule would allow for a top-flight competition.
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