Victoria has been confirmed to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the state’s regional areas set to take centre stage during the sporting event.

In a statement, Victorian Premier Dan Andrews said “we can’t wait to welcome the world to all of our state.”

“It’s a great honour to have Victoria chosen as the host venue for the 2026 Commonwealth Games,” he said.

“The Commonwealth Games in regional Victoria is great for jobs, hospitality and our economy.”

The 2026 Commonwealth Games is expected to inject more than $3 billion into Victoria’s economy and create more than 600 full-time equivalent jobs before the Games, and thousands more as the games commence all the way through to the Closing Ceremony.

Regional hubs will be established in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland, each with their own athletes’ village and sports program. The Opening Ceremony will be held at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said the Games “will deliver major benefits” to the regions “and leave a lasting legacy for the growth and development of sport throughout Victoria.”

So far 16 sports have been confirmed for the event with more to be added later in the year.

Commonwealth Games Federation President, Dame Louise Martin said the “Commonwealth Games Federation is absolutely delighted to award the 2026 Commonwealth Games to Victoria.”

“Commonwealth Games Australia and the Victorian Government have set out a bold and innovative vision that provides an exciting new blueprint for hosting our major multi-sport event,” she said.

This will be the sixth occasion Australia has hosted the Commonwealth Games. Australia played host to the Games in Sydney in 1938, Perth in 1962, Brisbane in 1982 and most recently Gold Coast in 2018. This will mark the second occasion Victoria has hosted after the Melbourne 2006 Games.