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The news that the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in multiple locations across regional Victoria was announced by Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, and Commonwealth Games Federation president, Dame Louise Martin, on Monday, 11 April 2022.

The last time Australia hosted the games was in 2018, when the Gold Coast was the hub for the high-profile international competition.

With the decision to host 2026 events in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Gippsland, the design and construction of new infrastructure developments, including unique athletes’ villages in each key location, will get underway.

Shepparton – approximately 180 kilometres north-east of Melbourne – will also become another regional host to both sporting and cultural events as part of Victoria’s commitment to the games. Meanwhile, ongoing discussions between the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Australia are yet to reveal if the inclusion of additional sports within the Victoria 2026 program, may mean even more event hosting opportunities for other regional locations.