Multiple host cities possible for future Commonwealth Games

Friday, 3 January 2025 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Multiple host cities and indoor ceremonies could become a feature of a “more affordable and more attractive” Commonwealth Games in future.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Chris Jenkins, believes the new streamlined model taken on by Glasgow in 2026 will ensure the games live on well past its 100-year anniversary in 2030.

At the end of his first year as President, in a wide-ranging interview with BBC Sport Wales, Jenkins said:

The Commonwealth Games model has been changed for good and he hopes it will encourage more hosts going forward.
Future hosts are being told not to build or redevelop venues – but co-host with other cities or countries who have existing facilities.
Athletes will stay in hotels and ceremonies could take place indoors at future games.
Jenkins is about to invite bids to host the next three games to give nations, sports and athletes certainty over the event’s future.
The games could become bigger again after Glasgow with up to 17 sports, rather than the 10 selected for 2026.

When Chris Jenkins became President of the CGF in November 2023, their showpiece event was in something of an existential crisis.

Australian State Victoria had pulled out of hosting the 2026 games and Canadian Province Alberta had withdrawn its interest for 2030.

But after a year in office, Jenkins believes the games remain an integral part of both the Commonwealth and wider sporting calendar.

Glasgow has stepped in to put on a streamlined but “exciting” games in 2026 and Jenkins is about to invite expressions of interest from nations to host the next three events from 2030 to 2038.

“We’ve changed the games,” he told BBC Sport Wales. “So it’s much more affordable, much more attractive.

“We’re not the Olympics. We are not going to be the Olympics.

“We’ve learned over the last couple of years, we’ve analysed it, where we sit within the environment and we’re really comfortable.

“We’ve reset and reframed the games to exactly the sweet spot of where we should be.”