Canadian province withdraws bid for hosting 2030 Commonwealth Games due to high costs
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Alberta: The province of Alberta in Canada has decided to withdraw its support for a potential bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, effectively ending the possibility of bringing the prestigious multi-sport event back to the country.
Minister of Tourism and Sport Joseph Schow released a statement explaining that hosting the Games, which typically attract over 4,000 athletes from 54 Commonwealth nations, was not in line with the interests of Alberta taxpayers.
According to current bid estimates, hosting the event could cost up to CAD 2.68 billion (USD 2.01 billion). Schow highlighted that the corporate sponsorship model and limited broadcast revenues for the Commonwealth Games would have placed a significant burden on taxpayers, with an estimated 93% of the costs and risks falling on them.
"We committed to remain transparent with Albertans about the costs of hosting international sporting events and clearly demonstrating a return on our investment for the people and communities in Alberta," said Schow, explaining the province's decision not to pursue the bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
This decision comes shortly after the Australian state of Victoria also withdrew its support for hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to escalating costs. Victoria's initial estimate of AusD 2 billion (USD 1.36 billion) to host the games eventually ballooned to around AusD 7 billion.
Commonwealth Sport Canada, responsible for organising Canadian teams in the Commonwealth Games, was expected to complete a feasibility study for Alberta's 2030 bid later this month. The organisation released a statement suggesting that Victoria's decision to withdraw from hosting the 2026 event played a significant role in Alberta's choice to abandon its bid.
Canada has previously hosted four Commonwealth Games, in 1930, 1954, 1978, and 1994. The most recent edition of the Games was held in 2022 in Birmingham, after the English city stepped in as a replacement for Durban, South Africa, which lost its hosting rights due to missed deadlines and financial issues.
Victoria was the sole bidder for the 2026 Commonwealth Games before its withdrawal, further impacting the event's future hosting prospects.