The model for sporting excellence
Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) is gearing up for the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games, which looks set to be a landmark event in the history of the Commonwealth sporting movement.
With 1,000 days until the grand opening at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Victoria 2026 will deliver a unique multi-city model for the competition.
Victoria 2026 aims to redefine the Commonwealth Games experience by introducing an unprecedented multi-city model.
Deviating from the traditional approach of targeting individual cities, this ground-breaking concept sees the Games being spread across five regional centres: Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Gippsland and Shepparton.
By decentralizing events, Victoria 2026 aims to maximize community participation, showcase regional diversity and create a truly inclusive, memorable experience for athletes and spectators alike.
Australian swimming legend Petria Thomas OAM has been named Team Australia’s Chef de Mission, competing at the Commonwealth Games for the ninth consecutive season.
Thomas’ enduring association with the Commonwealth Games is an example of the event’s lasting impact and her unwavering commitment to green and gold.
“The multi-city model presents us with a new challenge and we are tackling it head-on to provide the best high-performance environment and overall experience for the Australian team members,” said Thomas.
The multi-city model of Victoria 2026 goes beyond just changing venues. It actively involves local councils, Indigenous Australians and community organizations in the planning and implementation of the Games.
CGA officials have taken a proactive approach, meeting with stakeholders across Victoria to ensure the Games have a lasting positive impact.
By working with local communities, Victoria 2026 aims to encourage a sense of ownership and pride so that the Games are a shared experience for all Australians.
“The chance to compete in front of your home crowd is something I think every athlete looks forward to and there’s no denying that it’s certainly special,” said Col Pearse, bronze medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Victoria 2026 recognizes that creating an optimal high-performance environment for athletes is critical to their success.
Because the competitions are spread across different regions, the games present a unique challenge that requires careful planning and coordination.
CGA puts significant effort into creating a seamless experience for the Australian team.
By working with local governments and leveraging state resources, Victoria 2026 aims to provide world-class facilities, training opportunities and athlete support services at every regional hub.
This comprehensive approach ensures that athletes can perform at their best, thereby creating the conditions for sporting excellence.
The multi-city model of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games has captured the imagination of athletes, sports enthusiasts and the Australian public at large.
The Games offer Australian athletes a unique opportunity to compete on home soil in front of their families, friends and passionate fans.
“Home games are always a memorable opportunity for Australian athletes to compete in front of family and friends, but the excitement we’ve witnessed on our visits across the state shows just how excited locals are to get behind the greens and gold medals. “Too,” Thomas said.
This unprecedented level of support can increase their performance and create lifelong memories.
By showcasing regional hubs, promoting tourism and engaging local communities, the Games will boost economic growth, infrastructure development and community engagement. This legacy will live long after the Closing Ceremony and will benefit both the participating regions and the Australian sporting landscape as a whole.
Golf and coastal rowing will make their Commonwealth Games debuts, while BMX will make its debut in the cycling program. Shooting returns to the Games’ sports schedule after an absence in 2022.
Athletics, badminton, 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, T20 cricket, cycling (mountain, road and track), diving, gymnastics (artistic gymnastics), hockey, lawn bowls, netball, powerlifting, rugby 7s, squash, swimming, table tennis , triathlon and weightlifting complete the competition.
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