Canada drops bid to host Commonwealth Games for financial reasons

The Canadian province of Alberta has withdrawn its bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The provincial authorities explained this by the growing cost of holding such an event. BBC. The Commonwealth Games would cost about $2 billion, but it’s “too much of a burden for our province,” Sports and Tourism Minister Joseph Shaw said.

The Commonwealth Games are international sports competitions that are held every four years and in which athletes from more than 50 states that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, which unites mainly the former British colonies, take part. Conducted since 1911. In 2026, they should pass for the 23rd time. Previously, the Commonwealth Games were scheduled to take place in Alberta over 11 days in August 2030. Competitions were planned to be held in the cities of Calgary and Edmonton, as well as in areas inhabited by representatives of the indigenous peoples of the Cree and Sarsi. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) expressed its regret at the province’s decision, but thanked all those who worked to make the bid happen, and said it is confident that Alberta will certainly “be an amazing place” to host the Games in the future.

After Alberta’s refusal, there were no concrete applicants left to host this sporting event in 2030. Meanwhile, last month from hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games refused the Australian state of Victoria, whose application has already been approved by the CGF. The reason for refusal is the same as in the case in Alberta – too high costs associated with holding such a large-scale event. Victorian authorities have estimated the cost at $4.8 billion.

Alena Miklashevskaya