Gregor Mactaggart
LATROBE City Council has confirmed the sporting events to be held in Gippsland during the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in the municipality.
Latrobe City Mayor Kellie O’Callaghan said it was a significant moment for the area.
“This announcement means so much to Latrobe City and will provide a significant boost to our economy, raising the profile of Latrobe City, the wider Gippsland region and beyond,” Cr O’Callaghan said.
“It will build on the Victorian government’s significant funding support of major sport and recreation projects such as the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium, which has set the stage for this international sporting event.
“Our community has the expertise, passion and enthusiasm for sport and major events and we can’t wait to showcase Latrobe City to an international audience.
“Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games will build on our reputation as the home of major sporting events in eastern Victoria.”
Latrobe City will host Rugby Sevens, T20 Cricket, Badminton and Road Cycling, drawing thousands of visitors to the Gippsland region throughout the duration of the games.
EARLIER TODAY
Victoria will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games with Gippsland to play a major role.
Premier Daniel Andrews said four regional hubs would be established in Gippsland, Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong.
Each regional hub will have its own athletes’ village and sport program following the opening ceremony at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Gippsland has been pencilled in as the venue for the following sports:
- Badminton
- Twenty20 cricket
- Rugby sevens
- Cycling (Gippsland to Bendigo)
Mr Andrews said the confirmation of Victoria as the 2026 venue by the Commonwealth Games Federation was a significant moment.
“It’s a great honour to have Victoria chosen as the host venue for the 2026 Commonwealth Games – we can’t wait to welcome the world to all of our state,” Mr Andrews said.
“The Commonwealth Games in regional Victoria is great for jobs, hospitality and our economy.”
The state government estimates the 2026 Games will contribute more than $3 billion to Victoria’s economy, creating more than 600 full-time equivalent jobs before the Games, 3900 jobs during the Games and a further 3000 jobs beyond the Closing Ceremony.
Beyond the field of play, Victoria 2026 will feature a program of cultural and business engagement experiences that bring to life the Commonwealth Games values of humanity, equality and destiny – and embracing the state’s diversity and rich cultural history.
A Victoria-wide program of live sites and activations will ensure visitors are welcomed in every corner of the state, with the Queen’s Baton Relay to traverse the regions in the weeks leading up to the Opening Ceremony.
Sports Minister Martin Pakula said the Commonwealth Games, which will be the first held in Victoria since Melbourne 2006, would leave a lasting legacy.
“Hosting the Commonwealth Games in four years’ time will deliver major benefits, particularly the regions, and leave a lasting legacy for the growth and development of sport throughout Victoria,” he said.
