Gold Coast mayor remains committed to saving the Commonwealth Games 

Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate remains committed to rescuing the troubled 2026 Commonwealth Games, as he advocates for a thorough round table discussion to explore potential solutions during a recent Senate inquiry.

The Commonwealth Games 2026 were due to take place in Victoria after the state won the hosting bid in April 2022. At the time Victorian Premier Dan Andrews welcomed the announcement as an “honour” and said Victoria “could not wait to welcome the world to the state”.

However, in a controversial turn of events last month, Andrews pulled the plug on the sporting spectacle citing financial concerns. He claimed the cost of holding the predominantly regional event had nearly tripled to around $7billion.

“I will not take money out of hospitals and schools in order to fund an event that is three times the cost it was estimated and budgeted for last year,” he said at the time.

Tate quickly threw his hat in the ring stating that the Gold Coast was more than happy to host the games following their successful hosting of the event in 2018. He said due to high maintenance levels of existing facilities and the city’s ability to accommodate athletes and spectators, the Gold Coast was “games ready”.

At the time, mining tycoon and Australia’s richest person, Gina Rhinehart, also pledged to help the Gold Coast host the Games.

At the recent Senate inquiry Tate also called for Victoria’s $380 million compensation bill for the Games cancellation to be put towards holding the event on the Gold Coast.

Tate believes the Gold Coast is a solid option as it already has the necessary infrastructure in place, he estimated hosting costs to be between $750m to $1bn.

“I’m confident that we can resurrect it and deliver a Commonwealth Games,” he said.

“I don’t want a yes straight away. I just want to prove my point.”

While Tate is confident of a favourable solution, he said he would need support from all three government tiers, plus Commonwealth Games Australia, the Commonwealth Games Federation and major athletic bodies.

He also added that some sports that needed dedicated infrastructure would need to be removed from the program but was adamant that his council has the know-how to pull off the event.

His bullishness to pull off hosting the games has been met with mixed reactions on social media.

Go Mayor Tom Tate!

2026 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast

In will definitely go!

From SYD, I went to the 2018 Cth Games. Easy travel by public transport to venues. Good nightlife too. Had a great time

Get on Board Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk!https://t.co/n3NYxw8sQo

— Paddy (@Paddy00007) July 20, 2023

How the heck would this affect housing. Moving MORE people out of housing to make way for visitors for the commonwealth games. No Sorry. It would be nice – but not now. We have people sleeping on the streets!

— troberge (@troberge_au) August 10, 2023

Pass. Let’s focus on real issues close to home.

— Darryl Cathery (@Gadgetc10) August 12, 2023

I will volunteer my time to help as our family did in Sydney! So unfair on those athletes and kids! Go Tom

— GregM (@Gmeister67) July 20, 2023

Yes why not, love the Comm games! Go Tom!

— GregM (@Gmeister67) July 20, 2023

Backing from the Queensland government required to pull off the international event is still not forthcoming with Premier Annastacia Palasczcuk previously stating, “We are 100 per cent focussed on the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”