Regional Cities Victoria calls for $80 million for the 2026 Commonwealth Games

Regional Cities Victoria has asked the state government for $80 million in additional funding for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in 2026.

The government has already committed $2.6 billion in funding, but chair of the group, mayor of Bendigo, Andrea Metcalf, says they want the extra funding to be used across the 10 largest regional cities.

“20 million — which is $2 million for each city — to conduct repairs or upgrades for sporting facilities in their region. It will also allow for other cities who aren’t hosting a game to have Commonwealth countries to come and stay in their area and use their facilities to train,” Councillor Metcalf told Neil Mitchell.

Press PLAY to hear why Cr Metcalf believes the games should go ahead

$30 million has been requested for a tourist campaign and another $30 million requested for the regional parks and civic spaces program which will be used to create new parkland and upgrade existing open spaces.

Image: Canva.