Alberta withdraws of Canada’s 2030 Commonwealth Games bid in Canada

Wednesday, 9 August 2023 02:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Minister of Tourism and Sport Joseph Schow

MONTREAL (AFP): The province of Alberta withdrew its support for a possible bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games on Thursday, ending the chance of bringing the multi-sport event back to Canada.

Minister of Tourism and Sport Joseph Schow said in a statement that hosting the Games, which typically attract more than 4,000 athletes from the 54 nations of the Commonwealth, was not in line with the interests of Alberta taxpayers.

Schow said that according to current bid estimates hosting the event “could result in a cost of up to CAN$ 2.68 billion ($ 2.01 billion).

“The corporate sponsorship model and limited broadcast revenues for the Commonwealth Games would have put 93% of those costs and risks on taxpayers,” he added.

“We committed to remain transparent with Albertans about the costs of hosting international sporting events and clearly demonstrating a return on our investment for the people and communities in Alberta,” Schow said.

“That is why we have made the decision not to continue pursuing the bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games.”

The move comes weeks after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games because of escalating costs, leaving organizers “hugely disappointed.” Victoria state premier Daniel Andrews said the initial estimate of AUS $ 2 billion ($ 1.36 billion) needed to hold the games would more likely be closer to AUS $7 billion.